Top 4 Reasons to Soak Your Dentures

Nighttime rituals can be so comforting. Drinking some warm tea. Watching a fun movie. Snuggling under the covers. It can be easy to get in such a relaxed state that you just want to drift right off to sleep without taking care of important oral health habits. Soaking your dentures is one of those essential routines! Read on to learn the top four reasons for soaking your dentures overnight.

#1. Acrylic Dentures Are Full of Pores

While dentures are made from a variety of dental materials, acrylic is the most common base material. Even though your prosthetic appears completely solid, it’s full of tiny pores that are almost invisible to the naked eye. Bacteria easily grow in these tiny spaces, creating entire populations in these minuscule holes. It’s important to not let their growth go unchecked; it can lead to dental problems like gum disease. Soaking your dentures ensures the bacteria remains under control and wards off oral health problems.

#2. Bacteria Increases as You Get Older

The pores in your dentures are not the only thing that can put your dentures at risk from harmful bacteria. The population of bacteria in your mouth tends to increase as you age. As time progresses, you can be exposed to newer populations that can leave you more susceptible to infection. Additionally, the ability to produce antibacterial saliva decreases with age, and can even be exacerbated by wearing dentures over a long period of time. With these factors in mind, getting in the habit of soaking your prosthetics before you go to sleep can keep additional bacteria populations from growing.

#3. Give Your Gums a Break

Sometimes a break is needed…and that includes your gums! As you wear your dentures all day, your gums are bearing their weight. Unlike your jawbone, the soft tissues in your mouth are doing all the work to hold them in place. By giving your mouth a break from them throughout the night, you lessen the chances of them forming sores or becoming too fatigued for them. You not only get clean dentures in the morning but a renewed smile!

#4. Effectively Keeps Dentures Clean

As a denture wearer, you are aware of the importance of brushing your prosthetic, just as you would your natural teeth. But brushing alone won’t be able to penetrate the pores as much as soaking can. In fact, soaking them overnight removes over 99.9% of oral bacteria, keeping your mouth healthy and your dentures comfortable and odor-free.

So, next time you are tempted to forgo placing your dentures in a glass of denture cleanser or room-temperature water, think of all the amazing benefits that occur when you do. You will be sure to do all you can to keep your complete smile healthy!

About the Author

Dr. Alvin Aquino and his team at White Oak Dental & Orthodontics serve the families of Avenel and the surrounding areas. He earned a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry, which is one of the highest awards a dentist can receive, with only 6% of dentists earning this distinction. With a 5-star rating from over 200 reviews on Google, he can meet all your denture needs to keep your smile whole and healthy! To schedule an appointment, contact him through his website or call (732) 582-4224.