Personal Protective Equipment is Important Now More than Ever

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Classic Denture Center

When operating, dental healthcare personnel risk exposure to a wide range of contaminants including blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious materials… This simple fact makes it vitally important to take protective steps.

This is where personal protective equipment (PPE) comes into play. PPE provides a potent safeguard against the dangers of infection in the dental space.

How PPE Works

Protective barriers reduce the exposure of mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and body of oral healthcare workers to microorganisms and prevent injury due to chemicals and particles of debris.

A Few Ways PPE is Used

PPE is used during client care, laboratory, disinfection, and sterilization procedures.
PPE includes gloves, masks, protective eyewear, and clothing.

Gloves:

The use of gloves provides a high level of protection for both practitioners and patients. It prevents direct contact from microorganisms in the patient’s mouth and on contaminated surfaces (bare hands often will have areas of non-intact skin providing portals of entry for pathogenic microorganisms). Gloves also can prevent saliva and blood from being retained under the fingernails, which have been shown to persist for several days even with hand washing.

Gloves protect dental providers against contact with disinfecting and cleaning chemicals.

Different types of gloves are suitable for varying clinical situations and should be selected accordingly. To protect patients and staff, the CDC also stipulates that a new pair of gloves be worn for each patient and that dental health-care personnel wash their hands immediately after removal.

Types of gloves:

1. Non-sterile ambidextrous gloves are adequate for most procedures.

2. Sterile gloves are recommended for surgical procedures.

3. Use puncture and chemical-resistant utility gloves to prepare chemicals, handle contaminated instruments, and clean and disinfect surfaces.

4. Over gloves are worn over treatment gloves to prevent cross-contamination of items and surfaces such as charts and phones.

5. Heat-resistant gloves are worn when handling hot items.

At Classic Denture Center, we use latex-free gloves during patient care to prevent latex allergy reactions.

Masks

Masks prevent the inhalation of potentially harmful air born microorganisms while performing dental treatment. Wearing masks help to protect the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth and prevent dental providers from aspirating harmful airborne pathogens. Masks provide some protection to the patient from nasal/oral secretion of dental staff. The CDC suggests that masks be changed between patients and if the mask becomes wet.

Protective Eyewear

Protective eyewear protect mucous membranes of the eye from microbial invasion, chemicals, and physical projectiles.

Clothing Covering

Protective clothing like gowns and lab coats protect the skin and keep it safe from blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious materials. The CDC advises that gowns be changed if visibly soiled and removed before leaving the work area. By combining PPE with comprehensive workplace education on infection prevention, we can ensure the health and safety of our team and our patients.

With the current health crisis, these items are more important now than ever! Medical professionals are using them in their treatment rooms, and many of you are using them to protect yourself from COVID-19. Stay healthy out there and feel free to reach out if you need anything.

The Oral-Systemic Connection

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Classic Denture Center

For many years dental professionals have explored the links between oral and systemic health, and here at Classic Denture Center, we feel this connection is a big one!

Beginning as early as the late 19th century, researchers proposed that bacteria in the oral cavity could cause issues elsewhere in the body. However, over the past several decades, scientific study has helped us further understand these connections and added to the list of systemic conditions associated with periodontal disease.

Find oral health with a denturist in Portland OR

By the year 2000, the United States Surgeon General issued a report on the national oral health status. This report formally acknowledged the association between periodontal disease and the following conditions:

-Cardiovascular disease

-Diabetes

-Pneumonia

-Adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth.

The report also suggested that more research was needed to establish causation.

Experts have identified two mechanisms that could explain the connection between oral and systemic health.

The first is chronic inflammation in the oral cavity – this could hypothetically lead to an increase of inflammatory markers in the bloodstream and, in turn, add to the body’s inflammatory response or general burden of disease.

Second, the oral cavity may act as a reservoir for pathogenic bacteria that can enter the bloodstream and affect distant sites within the body. While this phenomenon, known as bacteremia, is not generally a risk for patients with healthy immune systems, it can pose a serious threat to immunocompromised patients such as those with HIV/AIDS or diabetes.

Many dental patients will resist treatment, especially when their condition isn’t causing them pain or other serious symptoms.

In order to maintain your oral health, it is important to take part in routine dental appointments. This will help with the early detection of both oral and systemic diseases. In turn making treatment as manageable and effective as possible!

Medical experts, including your denturist in Portland OR recommends two annual visits to the dentist as an important investment to your oral as well as overall health! Not only can you catch conditions in the early stages, you can also prevent future issue from popping up.

This is even more important if you have full or partial dentures. Regular care can prevent disease as well as the costly mistake of need to prematurely replace your dentures.

When you do visit your dentist, it is important to know that saliva can act as a powerful diagnostic tool, offering a window into oral and systemic disease, even in the absence of traditional symptoms. During a dental visit, saliva can be collected and tested for biomarkers of:

-Hepatitis

-HIV

-Cancer

-Osteoporosis

-And more.

Saliva additionally wards off disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

These are just a few of the ways that your oral and systemic health are connected, further research could show even more of a correlation. To learn more about your health, contact your denturist in Portland OR! We can help you develop a dental hygiene plan that can give yourself the best chance you have at staying at the top of your game.

Dentures: Determining Good Quality

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Classic Denture Center

This week, your denturist in Portland OR wants to ask you… Would you like to know the difference between a quality denture and a cheap one?

You might not realize how much of a difference it can make, but spending a little extra on those dentures that will be in your mouth for many years to come is worth every penny!

We see it all the time! A patient comes in with their lowest cost denture on the market. They are in pain, they are frustrated, and they don’t understand why they cannot get used to wearing their new dentures.

This is because those cheap, bottom of the barrel dentures are not made to fit the patient, they are made to cut costs… And those costs are not coming out of the pocket of the denturist. They are coming out of the cost of the materials and the creation of the dentures themselves!

When these patients come into our clinic, we always take time to explain to our patients that denture material and comprehensive patient care is of utmost importance when it comes to customer success and satisfaction!

So when you are trying to decide between our dentures and those discount ones, here are a few things to know:

Materials Matter

Dentures quality is based on the types of material used to make them. The base can either be made from metal, plastic, acrylic, and the teeth are usually acrylic.

Those low grade and inexpensive dentures that you might be considering are likely made from plastic. It is important to realize though that plastic dentures can damage the gums around natural teeth if not designed and cleaned properly.

The difference in the price of dentures can be also be directly related to the workmanship in crafting dentures and post denture care.

Cheap Denture

Your basic cheap denture may be outsourced to a dental lab. There, dental technicians will make the denture as per the specifications of your dentist. Often times, the dental lab will use the lowest cost materials in order to meet the price charged. The product will then be marked to cover their cost of taking the impression, administering the denture, and any post denture care offered.

Minimized Personalized Care and Adjustments

Another problem you might notice with that cheap denture is that once you get your dentures, you are shown the door. Once you walk out that door, if you experience discomfort or pain, you are expected to deal with it! As a result, patients may end up resorting to getting new dentures within a few months or a year later. In the long run, this doesn’t save you money at all.

Premium Care with Classic Denture Center

As your denturist in Portland Oregon, we deal with dentures on a personalized, case by case basis. Dr. Tanya Poleon goes out of her way to meet with you as many times as required to meet all of your denture needs! Your comfort and smile are the most important things to her and she understands that special care might be required to ensure the best fit.

At Classic Denture Center, we understand that you are uniquely you… Contact us today to find the comfort and confidence you need to face the day!

What Lies Beneath a Dental Implant

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Classic Denture Center

You might not realize it, but over the past few years, a great deal of progress has been made in implant dentistry. This is great, but it has unfortunately given rise to peri-implant disease.

We at Classic Denture Center are true believers in the saying that “it is true that you can’t prevent that which you cannot control.” For general dentists and specialists alike, this is a frustrating reality in cases of peri-implantitis, a serious problem that’s on the rise with an increasing number of implants placed annually.

Notably, official diagnostic criteria for peri-implantitis, which would be globally recognized by the dental community, have not yet been introduced. In fact, research on most of the features of peri-implant disease remains at an early stage. Still, clinical studies have shown a higher prevalence of peri-implantitis among patients who are chronically prone to the condition, have poor oral hygiene, or who choose not to maintain the implant site.

Tanya Poleon, L.D., your denturist in Portland OR fully understands that she can’t control patients’ personal habits, but she does want to give help where she can. One suggestion she has is to use products that promote osseointegration and hygienic healing for long-term stability.

To Rinse or Not to Rinse Before Implant Surgery?

Chlorhexidine mouth rinse is a well documented antibacterial rinse that has been shown to reduce infection and complications associated with dental implants.

A separate study concluded that chlorhexidine gluconate 0,2% mouthwash is an effective prophylactic material to prevent and treat oral pathogens in association with the implant prosthesis.

Antibiotics: Not Always the Answer

Antibiotics are a controversial topic in implant dentistry. The pre- or postoperative use of antibiotics in conjunction with implant surgery and its correlation with failure and success rates are yet another poorly documented area in literature, according to researchers. While the benefits of prophylactic antibiotics are well recognized in dentistry, their routine use in the placement of endoosseous dental implants remains controversial.

A 2016 literature review concluded that prophylactic antibiotic treatment for each implant surgery is not mandatory, however, antibiotics are useful in preventing postoperative infections after implant placement.

According to this study, the accepted principles for the use of prophylactic antibiotics are as follows: The procedure should have significant risk for an incidence of postoperative infection; the appropriate antibiotic should be selected; the appropriate tissue concentration at the time of surgery is necessary, and the shortest effective antibiotic should be used.

Getting a Grip on Excess Cement

Cementing crowns, bridges, and fixed partial dentures onto implants has become increasingly popular, but not without issue. Dental cement is one cause of local tissue inflammation associated with dental implants. Cements have been linked directly to peri-implant diseases and have been blamed for bone loss and implant failure. This is especially concerning considering that it often takes a minimum of three years for bone loss to become easily discoverable.

The main point of this guide was to show you the ins and outs of dental implants. W hope it has helped you make some decisions about whether or not they are the right choice for you! If you have questions about your options or would like to discuss those options with your trusted denturist in Portland OR, contact us today. We are excited to help you create the smile you deserve!

A Denturist’s View of Tobacco Use

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

You have all heard it and it’s basically common knowledge… Smoking and tobacco use is not good for your health. That said, you might not have heard about what it can do to your oral health! Today your denturist in Portland OR wants to show you the effects of smoking on your dentures and people with dental implants as well.

Back fifty years ago, people were not so aware of the risks and health issues associated with smoking or the connection between cigarettes and lung cancer. And over time, we have seen study after study showing consistent findings showing links to mouth cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay. It is also important to note that smoking cigarettes and the use of other tobacco products can actually cause negative effects to where the soft tissue connects the bone to the teeth and impacts the function of the oral cells and tissues.

With the knowledge that tobacco use can drastically damage your denture (or dental implant) experience, it is more important than ever to stop smoking if you can.

Here are just a few things to know:

Your dental implant failure risk increases if you use tobacco. Many medical professionals will recommend quitting smoking if you’re considering having dental implants.
If you smoke, you are at greater risk of infection when having dental implants fitted.
Smoking can damage the success rate of dental surgery.
Your healing time is extended after surgery for those who smoke. This is because nicotine constricts your arteries and reduces the blood flow to your gums.
Bone loss that comes with losing your teeth is often accelerated in smokers, which can cause your face to shrink and other harmful side effects.

Risks of Second-Hand Smoke

There are many things that can be harmful to your oral health, and tobacco use is definitely on the list for both adults and children. Second-hand smoke causes more harm than you might realize, for yourself and for those around you! All the more reason to quit smoking.

Second-hand smoking (or passive smoking) is dangerous to everyone, children included, leading to respiratory problems and other health complications. What you might not realize is that it can actually cause the formation of cavities in children’s teeth.

We hope that this information has helped you realize the harmful effects of smoking and has shed some light on how serious these issues can be. You may not always be able to see or feel the damage it does, but it’s there.

To learn more about oral health or have questions about your dentures in Portland OR, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

5 Surprising Tips for Increasing Denture Efficiency With Dental Implants

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

In many cases, adding dental implants in Portland OR can make your dentures feel more natural and help them function better in comparison to dentures worm without an implant anchor. This process will provide you with much more confidence and freedom.

Those who already have implants will find that they experience even more improved denture function with dental implants.

Why do dental implants help denture function?

In the case of replacing single missing teeth, your dental implant becomes your new permanent tooth replacement option. It uses a small titanium post that is inserted into the jawbone, serving as the “tooth root.” This life-like dental crown is attached to the post, creating a natural-looking and natural-feeling replacement for your tooth.

Now when a patient is completely toothless and has dentures, a specialized “locator attachment” is used in place of a crown. The attachment is made to anchor the denture to the implant, resulting in an easy-to-wear denture option. When you have an implant to serve as an anchor, your dentures function will more naturally.

Dental implants are being advertised every day, helping make patients more aware than ever of their benefits and accessibility.

Here are a few things to know…

1. Dental implants are quite often the best thing for patients who are missing a tooth or multiple teeth. An implant or implant-supported restoration could last up to 30 years or more, contributing to patients’ oral health and overall well-being.

2. Many physical and emotional factors lead to patients wanting implants:

Missing teeth
Bone deterioration
Improving smile or face shape.

From the clinician’s perspective, good candidates are patients who exhibit adequate bone support, good overall health, are not at risk for periodontal disease, and exhibit excellent oral hygiene. Risk factors to consider include health history, smoking, systemic disease, current medications and history, malocclusion, parafunctional habits, and even unrealistic expectations. Many risk factors will impact a successful clinical outcome if they can’t be resolved.

3. Tooth extraction is very technique sensitive, especially in the anterior. Care must be taken to ensure that sufficient bone and tissue are preserved to support an implant and a natural, esthetic emergence profile. If not enough bone exists to support immediate placement /loading, a bone graft can help support the soft tissue until an implant can be placed.

Whether disease, decay, or trauma has caused tooth loss, if a tooth can’t be replaced immediately, the surrounding bone may begin to shrink or resorb. Severe bone loss can make it impossible to place a dental implant later. A small block of substitute bone such as an allograft can be shaped to restore the ridge to its original form to prevent bone loss. Once the bone block is secured in place with titanium screws, additional bone material can be used to cover the surrounding area and create a more natural final shape.

4. Dental implants in Portland OR are supposed to last a lifetime. Patient education is the best defense for the long life of implant restoration. Patients should understand that an implant’s success depends on their home care as well as continued overall health.

5. Compliance may be aided by explaining that their oral hygiene regimen will be essentially the same as for their natural teeth – brushing, flossing, and professional teeth cleaning – although they may be asked to use special brushes and interdental products, low-abrasive or low pH toothpastes, and different techniques or irrigation technologies to avoid damaging the various implant component surfaces. They also may need to have additional professional cleaning sessions to reduce plaque and prevent periimplantitis, depending on their oral health and compliance.

Your dentures are designed to give you significant improvement to your daily oral function, but current denture wearers will let you know that they aren’t perfect. That said, once you get past the learning curve, you will begin to find that it’s much easier to eat certain foods or speak normally with dentures.

Here at Classic Denture Center, we do not place implants. We create your new dentures and place them over your implants. To discuss whether dental implants would be right for your oral health, contact us today!

Easing Your Dental (and Denture) Fears

Posted on October 25, 2019October 25, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

Do you fear having any sort of dental work done? If so, you are not alone! This fear often starts as a child, but sometimes doesn’t go away once you’re grown-up! As a matter of fact, somewhere between 9% and 20% of Americans downright avoid going to the dentist because of fear or anxiety.

For some though, the fear is much more than simple anxiety, it’s a phobia. People who experience this condition are often full of panic and terror at the mere thought of having dental procedures done. Though they often know that this fear is irrational, they are unable to control it.

So what do they do? They avoid the thing that terrifies them. They will do everything they can to get out of going to the dentist, including going through pain and experiencing much worse oral health than those who go to the dentist regularly.

Below you will find some of the classic symptoms of someone who has this phobia straight from your denturist in Portland OR:

Difficulty sleeping the night before going to the dentist
Experiencing nervousness or anxiety that escalates while in the waiting room
Experiencing a loss of control over emotions (crying) or feeling sick when thinking about visiting the dentist
Feeling uneasy about the idea or act of objects placed inside your mouth during the treatment
Feeling like you won’t be able to breathe during your procedure

These symptoms can be debilitating and detrimental to your oral health, but it’s definitely worth fighting through.

In order to know how to resolve this phobia, it is important to understand the reasons behind it. Some of the common causes include:

Fearing pain: This is a very common reason many people avoid dental appointments or procedures. Often this fear stems from experiencing an unpleasant or painful dental encounter in the past. It can also come from hearing “dental horror stories” from other people, causing an irrational fear of going through something similar. That said, it is important to remember that due to medical advances, many procedures are actually pain-free, or close to it!

Fearing injections (or fearing that those injections won’t be effective): One of the most common irrational fears out there is the fear of needles. Especially ones inserted inside the mouth. Injections are uncomfortable but are mostly tolerated. Moving further, some people are terrified that the medicine will not have taken effect before the procedure begins.
Fearing side effects: While less common, this is a real fear, especially for those who haven’t experienced anesthetic before. In many cases, people will fear the dizziness, faintness, nausea, or having a numb mouth.
Fearing feeling helpless: Most medical procedures come with a loss of control, and some people do not like that idea.
Feelings of embarrassment or feeling claustrophobic: Some people may feel uncomfortable about the physical closeness of the other people in the room. Others may feel self-conscious about the way their teeth look or about having someone smell their breath.

Dental fear is common… Normal even! So if this is you, we want you to remember the importance of your oral health. Regular cleanings and checkups can prevent tooth decay, tooth loss, and the need for dentures too soon!

In the long run, you will be happy you bit the bullet and held your head high in the face of pain!

If you need to see the denturist in Portland OR for any of our services, from implants to dentures, do not hesitate to contact us at Classic Denture Center today! We would love to help ease your fears and make sure you leave our office with a (beautiful) smile on your face.

What YOU Need To Know About Tooth Sensitivity

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

Here at Classic Denture Center, your denturist in Portland OR Tanya Poleon has seen just about every mouth complaint out there! That said, one she hears about quite often is tooth sensitivity. This is probably due to the fact that many of her patients are getting new dentures because of pre-existing oral conditions, many of which cause sensitivity.

In any case, sensitivity of the teeth is highly common.

Most everyone has experienced a tooth (or more than one) that is a bit sensitive to hot, cold, or chewing, it’s just a part of life… But sometimes this discomfort can point towards a condition or problem within your mouth, making it a good idea to have things checked out as soon as you can.

So What is Tooth Sensitivity?

Tooth sensitivity, otherwise known as dentin hypersensitivity, is a pain associated with your teeth when they are exposed to certain conditions. Some of these conditions include:

Hot liquids or foods
Cold liquids or foods
Overly sweet liquids or foods
Acidic liquids or foods

In some cases, you might even experience tooth sensitivity when your teeth are exposed to the cold air.

This sensitivity occurs when the outer coating of the tooth (enamel) is chipped, cracked, or weakened from decay or other factors. This weak outer layer causes the softer dentin beneath to be exposed. You might not know it, but dentin is a porous material that contains many little channels running through it. These channels run to the sensitive nerve-containing pulp at the center of your tooth. This is why these external conditions might cause momentary sharp pain when exposed to hot or cold.

What are the common causes of sensitive teeth?

The most common underlying causes of having sensitive teeth are:

Using a hard toothbrush that has stiff bristles. This can wear the enamel down.
Using a toothpaste that is too abrasive.
Having a cracked or chipped tooth in your mouth, exposing the dentin.
Grinding your teeth can also gradually wear down the enamel from friction between the teeth.
Having gum disease or gum recession can also cause sensitivity due to the gum receding from the base of the tooth causing the enamel to thin, the dentin.
Foods that are acidic can also cause the enamel to weaken.

The above are just a few of the causes behind your sensitive teeth, but thankfully there are some things you can do about it!

How Can I Treat Tooth Sensitivity?

The first step in treating sensitive teeth is to get a fluoride toothpaste to ease the pain. Along with that step, it is also a good idea to swap your current toothbrush for one with soft bristles. Using a fluoride rinse or gel is another great idea, and so is avoiding the foods that you know will cause you pain. In some cases, getting a mouthguard is a good idea for those who grind their teeth.

Here are a few treatments that might be necessary for your sensitive teeth:

Fixing or sealing any cracks or chips in the teeth
Undergoing a gum graft to protect the root of the affected tooth
Treating gum disease
Having bonding applied to the exposed root
Root canal treatment
Extractions or implants if the tooth has too much damage

If you have questions about tooth sensitivity or any services we provide, your denturist in Portland Oregon, Tanya Poleon, would love to help! Her main goal is to help you keep your smile exactly the way you want it to be! Contact us today!

Why Denture and Gum Hygiene Are Imperative To Oral Health

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

Here at Classic Denture Center, your denturist in Portland OR is constantly working to educate you on your oral health. One major part of keeping those pearly whites healthy is keeping up with your hygiene.

It might seem surprising but research consistently shows that those who wear dentures are at a higher risk for developing infections in their mouth than those who do not wear dentures. Even more surprising is the fact that the majority of those who wear dentures will eventually be infected as time moves on. Infection can be detrimental to hygiene and oral health.

Here are just a few types of bacteria that frequently colonize on dentures:

Candida Albicans
Streptococcus
Staphylococcus
Actinomyces

While bacteria is everywhere and is not always dangerous, when it comes to your mouth, the above infections can lead to Oral Thrush, Stomatitis and Pneumonia. Each of these is so common that millions of people are infected each year.

The symptoms of an oral infection are:

Redness
Discomfort
White tongue
Loss of taste

Most people who have the beginning stages of oral infections may not even know that they are sick because the symptoms can be so mild.

What puts you at a greater risk for oral infection?

Things like your age, the medication you are taking, illnesses you might have, and your personal habits can make you much more prone to an oral infection. This is especially true when you use your dentures beyond the recommended replacement time and those who do not clean them properly. In some cases, medications can further exacerbate your oral condition by causing dry mouth and other conditions.

A major issue we see is that many of these infections are left untreated due to a variety of factors… Maybe you are not aware that your symptoms are pointing to a problem, or maybe you regularly visit the drugstore, not a dental professional. Either way, we at Classic Denture Center take pride in educating our patients about the hygienic risks associated with the regular use of oral appliances.

A reminder from your denturist

Classic Denture Center - denture hygiene — Do NOT clean your dentures with regular toothpaste.

One of the most common problems we see is that many patients do not know or forget that toothpaste is much too abrasive for removable oral appliances! It might seem harmless to brush your dentures, partial dentures, mouth guards, or snoring devices with a toothbrush and toothpaste, but it can damage them more than you realize. The bristles can cause microscopic scratches, leading to a visible difference in shine, finish, and color… but even worse, these scratches become the perfect breeding ground for dangerous pathogens.

To fight back against infection and keep your oral appliances in tip-top shape, your denturist in Portland OR recommends properly cleaning them, your mouth, and your gums regularly. A soft toothbrush used with a low-abrasive denture gum paste or any antibacterial soap is best! If you need suggestions, please feel free to contact our office! We are happy to help you every step of the way.

*Major brand denture cleansers can only claim to kill “odor-causing bacteria”, and do nothing to prevent recurring diseases from infected dentures. Doctor Lorin Berland, DDS developed Cleanadent Crystals, a soak cleanser that instantly kills Candida, Strep, Staph, and Actinomyces without harmful chemicals like bleach or chlorine.

3 Enticing Reasons To Stop Wearing Your Dentures While you Sleep

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Classic Denture Center

At Classic Denture Center we like to live by the saying: “Take care of your dentures and your dentures will take care of you.” Perhaps you have heard it before?

It might not be such a new saying, but it is definitely good advice! When you take care of your new pearly whites, you can improve how long they last, how well they look, and most importantly, how good they feel. To keep them in tip-top shape, your denturist in Portland OR suggests having them cleaned and checked regularly.

Another piece of advice we have to offer you is to stop wearing your dentures around the clock. What we mean by this is that wearing them overnight could lead to some major undesirable consequences.

Wearing your dentures 24/7 can actually accelerate bone loss in your jaw and over time cause your dentures to lose their comfortable fit. Bone loss is a natural consequence of tooth loss due to the fact that the bone is no longer stimulated to grow by your teeth during chewing, but accelerating this loss is not something you want. Dentures can’t accomplish that stimulus and the pressure they place on your gums and underlying bony ridges can make bone loss worse. Removing your dentures at night is one way to relieve this pressure and slow the loss of bone.

Dentures can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. These growths can lead to irritation, unpleasant mouth odors, and even disease. Remembering to take your dentures out at night helps deprive the microorganisms in your mouth of the prime opportunity to breed and grow. Also, taking them out offers you a great opportunity to clean your dentures. When people sleep with them in, they are much more likely to have gum or oral yeast infections and higher levels of proteins produced by white cells that increase inflammation. These infections could definitely contribute to other diseases in your body.

Sleeping without your dentures also increases their longevity. Your dentures already have to put up with a lot of wear and tear. You chew with them, talk with them, and they live in your mouth for half of the day already. When you take them out at night, you are able to keep up with oral hygiene and give them a break from the tough job they need to do. This will lead to a longer denture life-span and save you money.

In addition to taking your dentures out while you sleep, it’s obviously a good idea to practice other daily hygiene tasks including:

Removing your dentures after you eat and rinsing them with clean water
Brushing your dentures every day with a soft-bristled brush and dish or antibacterial soap or dental cleanser (remember, do not use toothpaste but do rinse thoroughly)
Remembering to clean your gums and tongue every single day
Storing them in clean water or preferably an alkaline peroxide-based solution

Your denturist in Portland OR believes that taking out your dentures while you sleep and following good oral habits will help extend the life and fit of your dentures. It can also help with your overall health.

If you want to learn more about proper denture care, please contact us today!