During the day, your dentures give you the confidence to smile, speak, and eat the same way you did before you lost your natural teeth.
Whether you have complete dentures or partial dentures, you probably want to know the best possible way to care and keep your dentures.
So, where should you store them at night when you are ready to remove them from their hiding place? Should you keep dentures in water overnight?
When done correctly, denture storage can help prevent damage to your dental prosthetics while also keeping them clean and fresh.
Maintaining your dentures in water overnight is one method of accomplishing this goal. That is, at least, what some people claim is helpful.
Let’s talk about whether keeping your dentures in water overnight really helps preserve good denture health.
Should You Keep Dentures In Water Overnight?
The short answer is yes, it is advisable to store your dentures in water overnight while you sleep.
Many dentists recommend their patients soak dentures in water when they are not in use. This helps to keep them clean and fresh.
More on How Water Helps Dentures
Unless your dentist or prosthodontist gives you specific instructions, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends storing your dentures in clean water or a denture cleaning solution until you need them.
Maintaining the shape of most types of dentures is accomplished by keeping them moist at all times. Dentures can be soaked overnight in water or a mild denture-soaking solution to help them stay in place longer.
Denture Solutions Role in Combating Bacteria and Fungi
Denture solutions may have the advantages of reducing the number of bacteria and fungi that live on the dentures. It is certain that solutions can prevent unpleasant odors from forming on the dentures.
When using denture cleanser solutions, you should always follow the directions on the label.
If the solution is made by dissolving tablets in warm water, make sure the water is not too hot, as this could cause your dentures to warp form and shape.
You can kill any additional bacteria by soaking your dentures in a denture cleaner for an extended period of time.
How to Best Keep and Clean Your Dentures
Again, keeping dentures moist is essential because most types of dentures will deform if not. Therefore, when you take your dentures out of your mouth at night, place them in a container that is half-filled with liquid. This liquid can again be water, or a dental solution.
After you clean your denture with a denture cleaning solution from the night before, thoroughly rinse your denture in the morning.
It is important to note that if you swallow part of the solution, it may contain harmful chemicals that can cause vomiting, pain, or burns if the chemicals are not removed. The chemicals in the cleanser may irritate your soft tissues.
In conclusion, it is best to keep your dentures soaked in water overnight to preserve their lifespan. Along with this be sure that you regularly clean them and prevent them from collecting dirt.
Just ensure that you thoroughly wash any solutions used off of your dentures before popping them back into your mouth!
