Q: What’s the appropriate mix of time for dentures to be in and out of the mouth?
A: Dentures should be out of your mouth for eight hours every day. Most people accomplish that by leaving them out while they sleep. This gives the tissue in your mouth the opportunity it needs to let air and its revitalizing oxygen circulate around it. Otherwise, the gingival tissue—the gum—under the denture will become a breeding ground for bacterial overgrowth or for a yeast or fungal infection. Not only is this bad for the gums, but it can also lead to respiratory infection.
The best way to clean dentures is with a toothbrush and regular toothpaste. When your dentures are out of your mouth, you should store them in a safe location in a closed container with water or a non-sugared liquid like mouthwash to keep them moist. Dentures are designed to be in a wet environment. If you find after time that your dentures are getting loose or not fitting properly, they may need what is called a reline. In a reline, material is added to the underside of the denture to make it fit more closely to your palatal soft tissues.
If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
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39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360. www.drshooverandyanda.com