Why Your Dentures Love Moisture
If you're not soaking your dentures each and every night, you're running the risk of seriously damaging them. Unless you've received specific instructions to the contrary from your dentist or denturist, your dentures should be immersed in liquid while you sleep, whether it's a denture cleansing solution or simply water. Is it really a big deal if this occasionally slips your mind? What if you regularly forget to soak your dentures?
Moisture
The immersion in moisture is what enables your dentures to retain their shape. The denture base (the acrylic resin foundation which holds the prosthetic teeth) has been designed to match the underlying topography of the interior of your mouth. A loss of shape, however minimal, will adversely affect your denture's ability to hug your mouth, reducing natural suction, which is one of the ways in which your dentures stay in the correct position inside your mouth. This is why they should be kept in liquid overnight.
Occasional or Habitual
Forgetting to soak your dentures every now and then will generally not compromise them. Habitually forgetting can create significant issues with the useability of your dentures. The acrylic resin will dry out (don't forget that they are receiving continuous moisture while they're in your mouth). A lack of moisture while you sleep can even cause your dentures to become brittle and slightly misshapen. It doesn't take much of an alteration for your dentures to become ill-fitting and uncomfortable.
Rehydration and Repair
In minor cases, you can try soaking your dentures in water or an appropriate denture solution. The dentures can often return to their original shape with suitable rehydration. If this is unsuccessful, do not attempt to soak them in hot water in an effort to make the resin base pliable, thinking that this will create an appropriate fit once the dentures are put back into your mouth. Contact a denture services provider to have your dentures reshaped, and don't delay this for too long, as repairs become more difficult the longer the issue is left.
In the Interim
Whether or not you can wear your dentures in the interim is determined on a case-by-case basis. As long as the dentures are not particularly uncomfortable, they may be worn, but you must be cautious about the health of your underlying gum tissues as the misshapen dentures exert pressure in an improper way, potentially causing irritation.
Remember that your dentures love moisture, and if you deprive them of this, you'll be the one who ultimately pays the price.
To learn more, contact a resource that offers denture services.
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