W232 S7590 Woodland Lane, Big Bend, WI 53103, (262) 662-3066
Testimonials
Nov 29,2019 Sandra K I had an emergency visit and was able to get in right away. Always treated with so much kindness here. The staff and doctors go over the top to make you comfortable..
Nov 12 2019 Ava E. This is my favorite place because of the toys and how gentle they are when cleaning my teeth. They also were nice enough to let me watch my dad's teeth get cleaned and learn how it is done.
Nov 11 2019 Diane S Always friendly. I have been going to Woodland for many years and I know they are excellent.
Aug 26 2019 AnnMarie R. I was very satisfied with the visit. I felt very relaxed
July 9,2019 Terry O. Been going to Woodland Dental from the day they opened. Their staff is extremely welcoming. Dr Zelko and Dr Nelson are excellent with both kids and adults. Truly happy with the whole staff.
May 20,2019 Dan W. Everyone is terriific. They compliment each other in creating an atmosphere that makes each appointment a pleasant experience.
Today’s technologically advanced dentures aren’t your grandparents’ “false teeth.” Now made with superior materials and processes, you could almost forget you’re wearing them. But don’t let that cause you to leave them in for the night: While it may seem like a harmless thing to do, wearing dentures 24/7 may not be good for them or your health.
For one thing, around the clock denture wearing could worsen bone loss, already a concern with dentures and missing teeth. The forces generated when we chew on natural teeth stimulate new bone growth to replace older bone cells. When teeth go missing, though, so does this stimulus. Even the best dentures can’t restore this stimulation, so bone loss remains a risk.
And, dentures can accelerate bone loss because of the added pressure they bring to the bony gum ridges that support them. Wearing them all the time deprives the gums of any rest, further speeding up the pace of bone loss. Losing bone volume not only affects your overall oral health, it will gradually loosen your dentures’ fit and make them uncomfortable to wear.
Another problem: You may clean your dentures less frequently if you don’t take them out at night. Lack of cleaning can encourage bacterial growth and lead to disease. Studies show that people who don’t take their dentures out at night have more dental plaque accumulation, gum inflammation and higher blood counts of the protein interleukin 6, indicating the body is fighting infection.
And that’s not just a problem for your mouth. Continuous denture wearing could make you twice as likely to develop life-threatening pneumonia as someone who routinely takes their dentures out.
These and other concerns make nightly denture removal a good practice for your health’s sake. While they’re out, it’s also a good time to clean them: Manually brush them for best results (be sure you’re only using regular soap or denture cleanser—toothpaste is too abrasive for them). You can then store them in clean water or a solution designed for dentures.
Having said all that, though, there may be one reason why wearing dentures at night might be beneficial—it may help prevent obstructive sleep apnea. If you have this condition, talk to your dentist about whether wearing your dentures at night has more advantages than disadvantages. And, if bone loss created by wearing dentures is a concern, it could be resolved by having implants support your dentures. Again, discuss this with your dentist.
Taking care of your dentures will help increase their life and fit, and protect your health. And part of that may be taking them out to give your gums a rest while you’re resting.
If you would like more information on denture care, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Sleeping in Dentures.”
Dentist - Big Bend, Woodland Dental Group, W232 S7590 Woodland Lane, Big Bend, WI 53103 (262) 662-3066