Pneumonia risk doubles in elderly sleeping in dentures. Poor oral health is a risk factor for pneumonia among seniors. Researchers at the Nihon University School of Dentistry in Japan investigated association between several oral health behaviors and the risk of pneumonia among the elderly.
At the beginning of the study, 524 randomly selected seniors were examined for oral health status and oral hygiene behaviors, and were subject to a medical assessment. Over the three-year follow-up period, 48 medical events were associated with pneumonia. Of the 453 individuals using dentures, 186 wore them during sleep and were found to be at the highest risk for pneumonia, compared to those who took dentures out for the night.
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The researchers noted that swallowing difficulties and overnight denture wearing increased the risk of pneumonia by 2.3 times, which is similar to mild cognitive impairments, history of stroke, and respiratory disease. Those who wore dentures overnight were also at a higher risk for tongue and gum plaque, gum inflammation, Candida albicans (yeast infection), and higher levels of circulating interleukin-6 (a pro-inflammatory agent), compared to their counterparts.
Not only is wearing dentures overnight associated with oral inflammatory and microbial burden, but it can also increase the risk of pneumonia.
Related: Is Pneumonia Contagious?
Sleeping in dentures can cause health problems
Aside from an increased risk of pneumonia, sleeping in dentures is also associated with a number of other health problems. For starters, wearing dentures overnight puts added stress and pressure on the gums, causing gradual decrease in bone density beneath the gums. Furthermore, if dentures are not properly cared for, they can turn into a breeding ground for bacteria, increases the risk of serious infections.
Continuous nighttime denture wear can also lead to stomatitis, where the tissue beneath the gums becomes affected. This area can become inflamed, reddened, and infected with yeast.
As you can see, there are numerous risks associated with wearing your dentures overnight, and so it is advised that you remove them and clean them properly to lower your risk of complications.
Tips to take care of dentures
Even if you don’t sleep in your dentures, you are still at risk for infection if you do not properly care for them. Here are some tips to properly care for dentures.
- Remove and rinse dentures after eating.
- Brush your dentures at least once a day – twice is optimal – with a soft toothbrush and denture cleanser. Using a fizzing agent to clean them isn’t as effective for plaque removal as brushing.
- Store your dentures in water or an alkaline peroxide-based solution.
- Brush your gums and tongue every day.
- Rinse you dentures before putting them back in your mouth.
- Pay attention to any changes in fit, because improperly fitting dentures increases the risk of infection, as bacteria and food can slip between the cracks.
- Handle dentures with care.
By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of oral complications.
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Sources:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-10/iaa-sid100714.php
http://www.deardoctor.com/inside-the-magazine/issue-30/sleeping-in-dentures/
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/oral-health/7-rules-for-denture-care/
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
