Continuous wear of dentures can increase the risk of oral infections and other oral health problems.
Maybe you don’t like to be without teeth — ever. Or perhaps you get a little forgetful sometimes. Whatever the reason, if you’re wearing your dentures to bed at night, we have one message: Don’t do it!
Dr. Hoffman and his whole Staff are absolutely amazing we have a Special Needs Daughter 54 years old and the Compassion and Care they give her is wonderful! We would recommend them highly.
The beat dentist office ever!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience with our team. 💙
I have NEVER had a positive experience with dentist…until now!! I was mind blown how kind the staff was, not just to me but to everyone! I have debilitating anxiety when it comes to dentists because of bad previous experiences, so I was very nervous. But, all the staff, including Dr. Thom, were very gentle, kind, and understanding. They took time to listen to all my concerns and address them, helping to put me at ease. I was also amazed how professional the whole office ran and how completely reliable they were. They easily guided me through the process and everything went so smoothly, including my sedation. I have never been treated so kindly by any dental office before, I was struggling to believe I wasn’t in some kind of dream. But. They really were that nice.
My recovery from sedation and all
The dental work they did to save my tooth was amazing, not a single issue! Dr. Thom even called personally to check on me a day later.
Coming back to put my permanent crown in was the same experience. They were all so kind,
Good about explaining everything they were doing and make the experience light and dare I say…fun.
I would drive 2.5 hours again in a heartbeat to do my work here. Best dental experience I’ve ever
had hands down!!!!!!! Thank you Dr. Thom for giving my life and tooth back. I’m so excited to not be in so much excruciating pain anymore!
Response from the owner:We can’t thank you enough for your kind and heartfelt words. Our entire team is dedicated to creating a gentle, supportive, and positive experience for every patient, so it means the world to hear your visit felt that way. We’re so glad you felt cared for and comfortable throughout the process, and we truly appreciate you making the trip to see us. Thank you for trusting us—it’s an honor to care for patients like you!
Dr. Hoffmann and his team takes great care of my special needs daughter. We have been coming here for over 20 years. The staff is so kind and patient with her and explains everything to help her stay calm.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your kind words and for trusting our team for so many years. We’re honored to care for your family and appreciate the opportunity to make each visit a positive experience.
I have had the best experience with Dr Behl and her staff! I have awful dental anxiety from some past experiences and they are so kind and supportive. Rebecca is incredible to work with. I highly recommend them to everyone I know!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your kind words! We’re happy to know you felt supported and comfortable during your visit. Our team strives to create a welcoming environment for everyone, and we truly appreciate your recommendation.
Serious Health Consequences
Sleeping in dentures can have serious health consequences. According to the NCBI, wearing dentures while sleeping doubles the risk of pneumonia in the very elderly. But how can wearing dentures at night increase your chances of getting a lung infection?
As the study noted, pneumonia-causing bacteria can readily be moved from the mouth to the lungs simply by breathing. And dentures not removed at night can become breeding grounds for all kinds of bacteria and fungi (such as yeast). That’s what makes them potentially dangerous.
Another condition often seen in people who wear upper dentures continually is called denture stomatitis, characterized by a red, inflamed palate (roof of the mouth) infected with yeast. The yeast microorganisms can also infect cracked corners of the mouth, a condition known as angular cheilitis. Moreover, it has also been shown that people who sleep in their dentures have higher blood levels of a protein called interleukin 6, which indicates that the body is fighting an infection. Need we go on?
Promoting Good Health
Wearing dentures is supposed to improve your quality of life, not reduce it. To promote good health, take your dentures out at night and stick to a good daily oral hygiene routine:
- Remove and rinse your dentures after every meal.
- Brush your dentures at least once a day with a soft toothbrush or denture brush and dish soap, liquid antibacterial soap, or denture cleanser (but don’t use toothpaste — it is too abrasive).
- Store your dentures in water or a solution made for this purpose.
- Brush your gums and tongue daily with a soft toothbrush (not the same one you clean your dentures with).
- Rinse your dentures in clean water before you put them back in your mouth.
If you would like more information on dentures and oral hygiene, please get in touch with us or schedule a consultation at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!
