A Guide to Denture Adhesive
Denture Adhesives: What, Why, and How to Apply
What is denture adhesive?
Denture adhesive is a product that helps your denture fit securely and comfortably in your mouth. They can come in multiple forms—including creams, powders and pastes.i Poligrip® denture adhesive is actually available in all three forms.
How does denture adhesive work?
When you use denture adhesive, water or your saliva interacts with the ingredients in the adhesive, causing it to expand and become sticky, forming a kind of glue. This helps the adhesive bond tightly to your denture and gum tissue, helping to keep dentures securely in place.i
Why use denture adhesives?
In most cases, properly fitted dentures won’t need extra adhesive to help them stay in place.ii It is strongly recommended that you consult your dentist or dental professional with any questions or concerns you may have. However, there are a few reasons why you might choose to use adhesive for your dentures.
- Bone shrinkage: changes in the mouth’s bone structure can cause your denture to become loose over time. Adhesives can help to fill any gaps caused by shrinking bone and temporarily tighten loosening dentures. Contact your dentist to address any changes.ii
- Increased confidence and comfort: some people may use an adhesive to help increase stability in their dentures fit and avoid slippage – particularly in social situations that involve a lot of speaking and eating.iii
- Oral hygiene: denture adhesives can help to seal out food particles and stop them from getting trapped under loose dentures. Visit your dental professional, as directed, to assure good oral health.iii
No matter what the reason for use, it’s important to apply denture adhesives properly. Follow the steps below and be sure to always read the complete directions on the product label to learn the best way to apply denture adhesive — from creams to powders and strips.
Find out more about the different types of adhesives.
How to Apply Denture Adhesive
DENTURE ADHESIVE CREAM
Clean your dentures using Polident® for Partials Clean & Protect Cleanser Tablets. Dry them afterwards.
Apply adhesive in short strips, not too close to the partials edges. Avoid applying too much, or oozing may occur.
Rinse mouth before inserting dentures.
Press denture into place, hold firmly, and bite down for a few seconds to secure hold.
**Follow directions for use from product label
DENTURE ADHESIVE POWDER
Clean denture with Polident® thoroughly and leave wet.
Spray powder very lightly and evenly onto denture surfaces coming into contact with gums or roof of mouth.
Rinse mouth before inserting dentures.
Thoroughly shake off any excess powder.
Press dentures into place, hold firmly, and bite down for a few seconds to secure hold.
** Follow directions for use from product label.
DENTURE ADHESIVE STRIPS
Clean your dentures with Polident® and dry them afterwards.
With dry hands, peel open and remove strips.
Lightly moisten one strip at a time with water.
Place strips as shown, not too close to the denture edges. Do not overlap strips (tear strips as needed).
Rinse mouth with water before inserting denture.
Press dentures in place, hold firmly and bite down.
** Follow directions for use from product label.
Always follow label instructions.
Super Poligrip® adhesives help hold dentures for up to 12 hours. If you find your dentures loosening, talk to your dentist.
How to Remove Denture Adhesive?
While it’s important to know how to properly apply your adhesive, it’s equally vital that you learn how to remove it.
Watch our short video below to discover the best way to easily and safely remove your denture adhesive.
How to Remove Denture Adhesive
- Swish warm water in your mouth, then carefully remove your denture using a rocking motion.
- Remove the remaining adhesive with warm water and a soft-bristled brush.
- Before storing them, make sure to properly clean and soak your denture with a cleansing solution like Polident® Ultra Power Denture Cleanser, which kills 99.99%† of odor-causing bacteria.
- Finally, place your dentures in a glass of water to keep them from drying out or losing their shape.
†In laboratory test.
** Follow directions for removal product label.
SOURCES
- Denture Adhesives in Prosthodontics: An Overview. Journal of International Oral Health 2015; 7(Suppl 1):93-95. Kumar PR et al. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4516076/pdf/JIOH-7-93.pdf. Accessed 08/01/20.
- Denture adhesives. US Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/denture-adhesives. Accessed 08/01/20.
- Denture adhesive guidelines. Oral Health Foundation. https://www.dentalhealth.org/dentureadhesives. Accessed 08/01/20.
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