Should you leave your dentures out at night?  Simple answer is yes.  If you cannot bear to go to bed toothless, then you must be ten times more careful to keep your dentures absolutely clean.  Brush dentures with soap or a denture cleaning paste.  Regular toothpaste is too abrasive for denture acrylic and will cause premature wear.  Brush over a sink full of water; that way, if you drop the denture, it will go splash instead of crack.  Brush your gums where they are in contact with the denture.  If they are sore or bleed then you must leave the dentures out overnight.  Soak the dentures in a cup of water with a couple of tablespoons of household bleach at least once or twice a week.  This will not harm the denture.  It will kill bacteria and spores and remove stubborn stains.  If your gums are sore or bleed for any length of time, please go and see your dentist.  You can always get new dentures; new gums are more of a challenge.

Dr. George Cadigan, www.exclusivelydentures.ca