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!
All of the staff have been extremely incredible. Dr. Thoms was amazing & really helped calm me before my procedure. Dr. Thoms answered any & all questions I have had & was extremely understanding when it comes to having dental anxiety. Robyn was the best X-ray technician I have ever had. She felt personable but still extremely professional. Throughout my life I have been to numerous dentists in hopes of finding one that will take my extreme dental anxiety seriously & not make me feel bad for it. I have finally found my favorite dentist. The Dental Anesthesia Center is my #1 pick if I had to chose any dentist.
Response from the owner:Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re grateful for your trust in our team and are pleased to hear you felt supported and comfortable throughout your visit. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
Hands down the best dental office in the area! They have always taken care of me and been very accommodating. The Doctors are the BEST!!! I would HIGHLY recommend this office if you are looking for a dentist! 5+ stars all around.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation! We’re grateful for your kind words and are thrilled to hear that our team has provided a positive experience. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving our community with exceptional care.
I started seeing this practice as a scared middle age woman that thought she was quickly on the way to being toothless. Years later now, still working with the amazing Dr Behl and her amazing staff, I have been able to continue with my present teeth. Alway kind, full of grace, mercy and humor!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re honored to be part of your dental journey and appreciate your kind words about Dr. Behl and our team.
We have been taking our son to Dental Anesthesia since 2019. He gets his dental treatment and blood work done at the same time. We find the staff and Dr. Thoms highly professional. They communicate well and provide excellent treatment/services. Getting blood work done during sedation helps us a lot.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re honored to be part of your family’s care. We appreciate your trust in us.
This was my first time coming to the Dental Anesthesia Center, recommended by my sister whose special needs son has seen Dr. Hoffmann for years. I have a very difficult jaw condition resulting from a car accident and Dr. Hoffmann made me feel so immediately at ease that I’ve scheduled some extensive dental work to be done later this summer. I also loved my nurse, Ashley, who was so attentive, sweet and knowledgeable. She made me feel not as an anomaly, but valued and validated, and I hope she will be with me during my upcoming surgery. Thank you, Dr. Hoffmann and Ashley, for welcoming me to your practice!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for trusting our team. We’re honored to provide a welcoming, compassionate experience and will be sure to share your compliments with Dr. Hoffmann, Ashley, and the rest of our staff. We appreciate your support!
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!
