Like you, I've had mine for almost 20 years (and had a 6 Gauge bar in there for at least 12). Only take it out to clean it (or if requested by the dentist or when I was hospitalized a few years back; but even then it was only out for surgery). Never had a problem since switching to vaping. I used to have an almost dried out feeling along the bar when I smoked, if I smoked a lot the day before; but that hasn't happened in quite a while now.
