Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and the surrounding soft tissues. Understanding how long you can keep these appliances in involves two distinct timeframes: the daily schedule for comfort and oral hygiene, and the total physical lifespan of the device itself. Both considerations are equally important for maintaining the long-term health of your mouth, ensuring comfort and function.
Recommended Daily Wear Schedule
The general recommendation is to remove dentures for 6 to 8 hours every 24-hour cycle. This necessary break allows the soft tissues that support the prosthetic to rest and recover from the constant pressure exerted throughout the day. The most common practice is to take the dentures out overnight while sleeping.
This nightly removal promotes the natural circulation of blood and oxygen to the underlying gum tissue. Saliva, the mouth’s natural cleansing agent, can also circulate more freely to wash away bacteria and debris from the denture-bearing areas. This resting period is essential for preventing more serious oral health issues.
Health Risks of Continuous Denture Wear
Wearing dentures continuously, especially overnight, prevents the necessary rest and recovery of the oral mucosa. Constant coverage creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of microorganisms, primarily the Candida albicans fungus. This overgrowth frequently results in Denture Stomatitis, which is characterized by inflammation, redness, and irritation of the tissues directly beneath the denture base.
The continuous mechanical pressure from the denture also accelerates alveolar bone resorption. The jawbone relies on regular stimulation to maintain its density, and the full-time presence of a denture plate limits this natural process. Over time, the constant, unvarying pressure can speed up the shrinkage of the jawbone ridge. This loss of bone mass can significantly alter the contours of the mouth, making the appliance fit poorly.
The lack of a daily break contributes to general tissue irritation and the formation of sore spots or ulcers. These constant areas of friction and inflammation can become a chronic issue, causing significant discomfort and potentially leading to more serious growths if the tissues are traumatized. Ensuring the gums receive a daily reprieve is directly linked to mitigating these accelerated pathological changes.
When Dentures Need Physical Replacement
Even with meticulous daily care, dentures have a finite structural lifespan and must be replaced or significantly modified periodically. The average functional life of a conventional denture is five to seven years. This timeline is not dictated by hygiene but by material degradation and biological changes in the wearer’s mouth.
The acrylic or porcelain teeth on the prosthetic naturally flatten and wear down over years of chewing, compromising the appliance’s ability to grind food effectively. The ongoing jawbone resorption means the shape of the mouth changes while the rigid denture plate does not. The resulting poor fit causes the appliance to loosen, leading to instability and difficulty with speaking and eating.
A dentist may recommend a reline or rebase, which involves adding new material to the base to improve the fit against the changed gums, but this is a temporary measure. Eventually, the degree of structural change and material wear necessitates a complete replacement. Ignoring the signs of an ill-fitting device can lead to accelerated bone loss and persistent oral discomfort.