During the cold winter months, the number of people who contract colds and flu increases and with these minor ailments can come secondary infections like pneumonia. Pneumonia can be particularly harmful to the elderly and the very young and is on the top 20 list of causes of death in Australia. As a person over 65, you already know to be mindful of your health when you get a cold as you don't want pneumonia to develop, but did you know that sleeping in your new dentures could increase your pneumonia chances? These are the facts you must know.
Pneumonia Risk When Sleeping In Dentures
In 2014, a study was conducted in Japan regarding the oral health implications of going to sleep at night while still wearing dentures. The results showed that almost 41% of those who slept in their dentures were more at risk of contracting pneumonia than those who did not.
The reason for this increased risk comes down to oral hygiene. When you wear your dentures 24 hours a day, the tissue beneath them does not get a chance to breathe or to be bathed in saliva. The saliva washing over dental tissue is necessary to wash away bacteria and other germs that would otherwise build up in the mouth. By not washing them away, you are increasing your chances of catching infections such as pneumonia.
Nighttime Denture Care
Not everyone wants to take their dentures out at night to give their mouth some relief, and if you choose to sleep in your dentures, then you must appoint another 6-8 hour period where you will take them out to soak each day. The benefit of doing it at nighttime, however, is that you don't need to be self-conscious about not having your dentures in when you are around people.
Take the denture out to allow it to soak in the solution recommended by your denture provider. If your dentures have metal clasps, then they can be soaked in warm water. If they do not have these clasps, then soak them in the denture cleanser provided.
You don't want to put your health at risk during the winter, so do your lungs a favour and take your dentures out when it is time to sleep. If you have any other questions about keeping your dentures germ-free during the cold months, your denture provider will be more than happy to answer them for you.
Share27 June 2016
Miranda Raff here. My brother is a stressed-out dental student, so I'm starting this blog on his behalf. I work in a travel agency and my brother is mortified by the number of dental tourism stories I bring home. I book short holidays for people who seem as though they are going to enjoy some relaxation in an exotic country, only to learn that they plan to have cheap dental procedures. Whilst there are good dentists in developing countries, according to my brother, the complex procedures these people plan to have simply can't be finished in such a limited time. This blog is an attempt to inform you about the high skill levels and advanced technology found in Australian dental surgeries. New techniques are being developed every year and Australian dentists are at the forefront of offering these solutions. I really hope this blog helps you to appreciate our dentists.
