Dentures are beneficial to individuals who have lost some or all of their natural teeth. These false teeth enable an individual to eat a variety of foods, smile confidently, and speak clearly. On the other hand, wearing dentures for extended periods pose a risk to an individual’s health. Besides causing mouth sores and bad breath, wearing your dentures for extended periods, especially at night, can affect your lung health, which is why you should take them out when sleeping.
Dentures and Pneumonia
Individuals who wear dentures when sleeping are more likely to suffer from pneumonia than those who take them out. Wearing your dentures at night encourages plaque buildup and accumulation of all types of bacteria and fungi. If your dentures host pneumonia-causing bacteria and you inhale them during sleep, these bacteria will easily move from your mouth to the lungs and cause pneumonia. Therefore, as a denture wearer, you should avoid sleeping with your dentures.
Keeping Your Lungs Healthy as a Denture Wearer
As a denture wearer, you can keep your lungs healthy by maintaining your dentures clean. To do this, ensure that you remove and rinse them after meals to remove food particles that may act as food for bacteria and encourage their multiplication. You should also brush your gums and tongue with a soft-bristled brush to remove mouth bacteria. At night, ensure you remove your dentures and clean them using a denture brush and mild soap. You can also use a denture cleanser but avoid toothpaste as they are too abrasive. Finally, you should rinse your dentures before putting them back in your mouth. With good oral hygiene and denture care, you will keep bacteria at bay and promote your oral health. You should also schedule a routine checkup with us for good oral health. For more details on the effect of dentures on your respiratory health, contact our office today.
Merritt Island