Tips on Form-Fitting Denture Adhesives

Those who wear dentures know the importance of having adhesives that are properly fitted. Dentures that are ill-fitting can cause the wearer problems with chewing, which in turn causes a greater amount of food particles to remain in the mouth. There are three types of adhesives: strips, pastes, and powders. Whichever you choose, there are ways to ensure that dentures stay properly adhered.

Strips

• Many denture wearers like to use strips because they are preformed adhesives. There are no problems with excess liquids running like with pastes and powders. By nature, strips offer a very secure fit as they create a seal between dentures and gums. To ensure a more secure fit follow these steps:

  1. Cut the strips so they are aligned with the dentures. Be sure you have enough to adhere but no excess adhesive that will cause discomfort.
  2. Once strips are fitted properly, insert dentures into your mouth. Hold them in place for a few seconds. Your saliva will interact with the adhesive to form a solid bond.
  3. Check comfort level and make note of how long the dentures adhere without becoming loose.

  Strips are ideal for people who produce a lot of saliva or have a narrow or flat lower jaw.

Pastes

• Denture pastes are the most common form of denture adhesive because they usually hold the best and they come in a variety of flavors. In order to make sure your dentures fit well, perform the following steps in this order:

  1. Clean dentures thoroughly with vinegar or an effervescent denture cleaner.
  2. Use a toothbrush to brush away plaque and other debris and rinse well.
  3. Squeeze paste onto top denture piece then apply paste on top teeth along the gums.
  4. Repeat same process with lower denture piece.
  5. Rinse mouth out with water to get rid of excess saliva.
  6. Press both pieces into place then bite down firmly for about 10 seconds.
  7. You may use a washcloth to remove excess paste or simply drink soda. The carbonation from soda will dissolve excess glue.

Powders

• Adhesive powders are sprinkled over the dentures and, like strips, they become activated by your saliva. The powder forms a glue to firmly adhere dentures to gums, but the glue is very easily cleaned off of the gums when the dentures are removed. The procedure for creating form-fitting powdered dentures is similar to that of pastes with a few minor changes:

  1. Clean them with an effervescent denture cleaner.
  2. Brush them thoroughly to remove any plaque buildup or other debris and rinse.
  3. The powder is to be shaken over the upper and lower side of dentures that adhere to the gums.
  4. Shake off any excess powder from dentures before placing in your mouth.
  5. Rinse out your mouth with water to remove excess saliva or any food particles.
  6. Press upper and lower dentures into place and bite down firmly for 10 seconds.