Denture Adhesives

Dentures usually fit securely in your mouth and are held in place via natural suction of your gums. They have improved over the years and the modern types of dentures are a good fit as well as being comfortable to wear.

However, they can become loose, either as a result of normal wear and tear or because your gums have started to shrink (ageing process).

If your dentures are loose or you are worried that your dentures may start to slip then a dental adhesive can help. This is a type of glue which can help fix your dentures in place.

Is it safe?

Dental adhesives are safe as long as you follow the instructions and use them wisely. They are designed as a support measure for dentures in that they help to secure them in place.

If your dentures are loose then adhesives are not recommended as they can cause an inflammation of the tissues underneath the denture. For example, if you have a small gap between the base of the denture and your mouth then it can be tempting to ‘fill in’ that gap with an adhesive.

But, the danger with doing this is that it will cause flabby, inflamed tissue to form under the plate which will cause pain and discomfort. It will also loosen the denture even more! If this is left untreated then surgery may be required.

If you find that you are relying upon a dental adhesive or that your dentures are loose and causing you pain then see your dentist.

Is there more than one type of dental adhesive?

Yes. There are two types of adhesive:

• Paste
• Powdered

The powder version is better in that it doesn’t affect your ‘bite’ (action of the jaws opening and closing) and washes off very easily. Plus there is less risk of inflammation as discussed above.

The paste version should only be applied in small amounts and care must be taken to avoid it seeping underneath your denture plate.

If you are using a powder adhesive then do the following:

• Remove your denture, clean it and then rinse it under running water.
• Shake a little powder over the inside of the denture – the part which sits against the soft tissues of your mouth.
• Replace your denture inside your mouth.

Do the same if you are using a paste adhesive. Clean and rinse off your denture, apply a small amount of paste onto the surface of the denture and replace in your mouth.

Dental adhesives tend to work better on the upper denture than the lower one due to the natural suction of this area and reduced movement. Whereas the lower denture has to accommodate cheek and tongue movements and a reduced surface area. The lower denture is apt to move more than the upper denture.

How do I remove an adhesive from my dentures?

The paste type of adhesive is more difficult to remove than the powder form and requires a fair amount of cleaning. You may find that you need to use a piece of gauze to peel this adhesive off the denture and your mouth.

Remember to clean your dentures thoroughly and soak them overnight in water.

The powder adhesive is much easier and can be rinsed away when you clean your dentures.

If you are concerned about loose dentures then consider a fixed denture or dental implants.

Another option is a denture fixative.

Dentures Guide Index:

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• What are dentures?
• I have had all my teeth removed, how soon can I wear a denture?
• How are they fitted?
• Will people notice that I am wearing dentures?
• How do I eat with dentures?
• Will my speech be affected?
• Do I need to use a fixative to keep them in place?
• What is the best way of cleaning my dentures?

• What are the benefits of dentures?
• How long do dentures last for?
• Do I still need regular check ups at my dentist?
• How much do dentures cost?
• Is there an alternative to dentures?
• Valplast Flexible Partial Dentures
• Denture Relining
• Denture Adhesives
• Denture Fixatives

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