Sleeping with dentures in might be a mistake. Do you have to remove dentures when you sleep?

[@pattituron8510]

Hi, Sally! I've had dentures for over 5 years and thankfully my denture journey has been a very positive experience. I do take out my dentures and let them soak over night because my dentist told me that infection is a possibility when you keep dentures in 24/7 and our gums need a rest. My husband and I got dentures at the same time and he also soaks his over night. Thank you for sharing.

[@sallygotdentures]

It's awesome that you and your husband have had each other throughout your denture journey. You're right about the possibility of infection.

[@lifewithdenturestoldbytracyj]

I've slept with mine for 17 years, I have to because if I don't my muscles collapse and I have difficulty breathing (it doesn't happen to everyone who doesn't have teeth but it's not uncommon). My dentist & my PCP both diagnosed me with sleep apnea caused by lack of teeth in 2007. While I do sleep with them in that doesn't mean that my gums do not get a break, I have a very set in stone routine of care that I have followed since the beginning. My dentures are out for 2-5 hours every night (4 hours is the average but sometimes less time, rarely less than 2 hours at a minimum, & occasionally more than 4 hours) & when I remove them & again before I put them in I brush my gums, palate & cheeks, scrape & brush my tongue, use a gum stimulator to massage my gums (started this 6 years ago) & rinse with mouthwash. I have healthy gums and have had very minimal bone loss. Recently I saw a new dentist at my annual visit at the practice I've been going to since 2021 and she somehow missed that I'd had dentures for 17 years, she just saw the 3 years that I've had my current dentures, and she was raving about how my gums were, how I have a great ridge, how perfect my bone density is, etc.. A bit later I mentioned my routine for 17 years, she paused, her eyes widened and she flipped the chart back a page and she said "for 17 years with dentures your gums are in great shape, I thought you were 3 years with dentures & was impressed with how they look". My dentist 3 years ago who I first saw when I was getting ready to replace my 14 year old dentures was also impressed with my gums, she called her assistants in to look at them because they were in such great shape for a long term denture wearer & she was very impressed with my care routine. Both dentists were surprised that I sleep with them in but both said that given my routine of care it's fine to continue doing so because they get a break. So, I'll keep doing what I do. My gums still get a break & my gums decompress which is important for healthy gums, your dentures need to be out for longer than a few minutes to allow for good gum health. Pros for me, my facial structure stays supported and I can breathe when I sleep. I also feel that sleeping with them in has helped keep my facial structure from sagging. Side note, I brush my dentures & all of the areas of my mouth not covered by my dentures when I first wake up & 2 other times during the day with a dental prosthetic & mouth paste (Dr. B Cleanadent paste) that I've been using for 4 years & also scrape and brush my tongue and use mouthwash each time I brush as well. Before I found Dr. B Cleanadent paste 3 times a day I used a soft bristle toothbrush and warm water to brush my dentures, a soft bristle toothbrush to brush all of the areas of my mouth not covered by my dentures & scraped and brushed my tongue and rinsed with mouthwash. I like my mouth to feel fresh and clean.

[@sallygotdentures]

Tracy, do you have more info on the gum stimulator? I would like to learn more. I'll check to see if you have a video about your routine (hoping!!) or, if so, will you leave a link here, and can I put a link on my community page? This is excellent information.

[@lifewithdenturestoldbytracyj]

@@sallygotdentures kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqC6kHRsd5ype5Y

[@sallygotdentures]

Thank you Tracy!!

[@lifewithdenturestoldbytracyj]

@@sallygotdentures you are very welcome!

[@aprilsunflower7440]

Do you scrape your tongue everyday?​@@lifewithdenturestoldbytracyj

[@wendywright5486]

I was told wear only for 2wk at night and my husband did but then took them out at nite, I will be doing the same as soon as the stitches in front are out I'm totally sleeping without them, unless I get lucky ever again 😂

[@sallygotdentures]

@@wendywright5486 😂 I hear you on that!!

[@angelagarner1904]

Great advice! Thanks 😊

[@sallygotdentures]

@angelagarner1904 ❤️ Thank you!!

[@harrydonald]

Mmmm 8000$ later for top n bottom permanent dentures 😮

[@sallygotdentures]

@@harrydonald it's unreal how much it costs.

[@KarlBreaux]

Are you a heavy drinker

[@sallygotdentures]

@@KarlBreaux no. Is that a possible cause of snoring?

[@KarlBreaux]

@@sallygotdentures yes

[@sallygotdentures]

@@KarlBreaux I guess that makes sense since people who drink heavily may be passed out.

[@KarlBreaux]

No I been sober since 1978- by the Grace of God and his son jesses- and a lot of Hail Marys Fell off of a ladder about 5 years ago and broke my jaw got implants and the wouldn’t take How long did it take to get accustomed to the cursed dentures

[@sallygotdentures]

Congratulations on your journey to sobriety, and your success. I'm sorry about the dental issues though! It took me a few months to get used to the perms. I never got used to the immediates.