After a long day of wearing your dentures, taking them out at night is a huge relief! Not only is it much more comfortable, but it should also be part of your daily nighttime routine. But do you know how to store dentures overnight the right way?

Why Remove and Store Your Dentures Overnight?

If you’re tempted to keep your dentures in while sleeping, dentists strongly advise against it.

Your gums need a break each day to stay healthy, and wearing dentures 24/7 can lead to gum irritation, sore spots that can get very painful (tips on how to manage them here), or even bad infections under the denture.

Research has shown that sleeping with dentures doubles the risk of pneumonia in elderly adults. When dentures aren’t removed at night, harmful bacteria gradually build up underneath and can lead to respiratory infections if breathed in.

Non-stop pressure from dentures can also accelerate bone loss in your jaws over time, so it’s best to take them out for several hours to maintain better long-term gum and bone health.

Another reason to learn how to store dentures properly overnight is to prevent warping or drying out. Dentures are designed to stay moist. If they dry out, the material can become brittle or misshapen. Placing a denture in water, or better yet, a denture soaking solution, when it’s not being worn, will help it retain its shape.

(By the way, this is true for full dentures and partial dentures alike; both should be kept moist when out of the mouth.)

So not only is it more comfortable to go without wearing your dentures at night, it’ll make them last longer and keep you healthier, too!

How to Store Dentures Overnight

If you don’t know how to store dentures when you’re heading to sleep, you have nothing to worry about because it is so simple, you’ll be able to remember every step on the first try.

1. Rinse before bed
2. Clean with soap or denture solution
3. Soak in water overnight
4. Store your dentures in a safe place
5. Rinse in the morning

If you need more information, here is exactly how to do each step.

Step	What to Do	Tips
1. Rinse	Take your dentures out before bed and rinse them under running water to remove food particles.	Remove your dentures over a towel or a water-filled sink in case you drop them (to prevent damaging it).
2. Clean	Use a soft toothbrush with soap to brush off plaque and residue. Also, brush your gums & tongue too.	Don’t use regular toothpaste on the dentures because it’s too abrasive.
3. Soak overnight	Place dentures in a cup filled with water/denture solution overnight.	Never use hot or boiling water since it can warp the denture.
4. Store in a safe place	Keep the cup covered and in a safe location.	Avoid storing in places where it could be knocked over or accessed by pets.
5. Rinse in the morning	Rinse off your dentures with water before wearing them.	Residue can be harmful if swallowed, so make sure to rinse thoroughly.

Additional Tips for How to Store Dentures

• It might be tempting to use household cleaners or bleach to disinfect dentures, but products with bleach can damage dentures and lighten the pink gum portion unnaturally.
• If you wear a partial denture with metal clasps or parts, do not soak them in any solution that contains chlorine (bleach), because it can tarnish or corrode the metal.
• Storing dentures overnight isn’t just for maintaining the dentures; it’s for your mouth, too. Leaving dentures out for at least 6 hours per day (typically at night) allows your gum tissue to stay healthy.
• Soaking overnight is great for preventing the dentures from drying out and reducing bacteria, but it doesn’t replace daily brushing of the dentures.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to store dentures properly can make a big difference in comfort, hygiene, and how long your dentures last.

At Dental Lab Direct, we make it easy to care for your smile with high-quality partial and full dentures delivered right to your door. If you’re looking for simple, affordable denture solutions or just need help getting the fit and care right, we’re here for you.