Not all dentures require an adhesive. If your dentures were properly fitted and you’ve maintained them well, they should stay securely in place without help from an adhesive.
But many denture wearers love the extra security and peace of mind provided by a denture adhesive.
Available in form of powder, cream, gel or paste, denture adhesives keep dentures from slipping or falling. Most adhesives are activated by saliva, forming a glue that holds the dentures firm against the mouth.
Denture adhesives are designed to provide a short-term adhesive effect – typically just a few hours – so you need to apply it daily.
A denture adhesive can greatly improve comfort when you are eating, talking or laughing. Loose dentures can cause soreness or even injury not to mention the embarrassment of having your dentures suddenly fall out.
Note however that denture adhesives have limited benefits. If your mouth bone structure has changed significantly and your dentures don’t hold at all, you are better off seeing your dentist about a refitting.
This buying guide is only for those who feel that their dentures are slightly loose and uncomfortable or just want to be double sure their dentures will stay in place.
We’ve picked the top rated denture adhesives based on customer feedback, how long they last and price.
But first, a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best denture adhesive.
What To Consider When Choosing A Denture Adhesive
a) Zinc in Denture Adhesives
You’ve probably had a friend of family member warn you not to buy an adhesive with zinc in it. Or maybe you’ve seen adverts for zinc-free denture adhesives.
What’s the deal with zinc and denture adhesives? Is it something to worry about?
It definitely is. In the right amounts, zinc is good for the body. In fact, it’s an essential mineral used in various body functions such as cell growth, healing of wounds and immunity.
Too much of it however could cause serious health problems including nerve damage and reduced immunity.
While it is very rare to get zinc poisoning from natural zinc-containing foods like meat and legumes, products such as denture adhesives with zinc can lead to an overdose.
The risk is even higher if you are also taking zinc supplements.
We recommend buying a zinc-free denture adhesive. Most denture adhesives available online and at pharmacies are zinc-free so you’ll have no trouble finding one.
b) Type of Adhesive
- Cream: The most popular adhesives come in form of a cream that you apply to the top of your dentures. Cream adhesives are usually cheaper than other types and very easy to apply. But they can sometimes ooze from the sides of the dentures, causing some discomfort.
- Powder: To avoid the oozing problem caused by cream adhesives, try a powder adhesive. You sprinkle a thin layer of the powder on top of dentures before attaching them to your gum. Saliva will activate the bonding elements. Powder adhesives are less messy than creams, making them more convenient to use in different environments.
- Strips or pads: These are the most expensive denture adhesives. But they offer the most comfort and the best hold. You may need to trim the strips to get a good fit. One advantage of strips is their superior ability to keep food particles out, providing more comfort and improved hygiene.
We recommend trying out different types of adhesives until you find the one that feels most comfortable for you.
c) Taste
It’s no fun to spend the whole day with a weird taste in your mouth from a denture adhesive. Most people prefer a taste-free adhesive.
This not only makes it more comfortable to use, it also ensures the adhesive does not interfere with the taste of foods and beverages.
Some adhesives have a mild minty flavour that some users love.
d) Hold Time
Check how long the adhesive lasts before you need to re-apply it.
A good quality denture adhesive should hold your dentures for at least 12 hours. This allows you to go through the day comfortably eating and talking.
Some adhesives provide a longer hold of up to 24 hours. But since you are supposed to remove dentures before you sleep, you don’t need to spend more on a 24-hour adhesive. A 12-hour adhesive will do for most people.
Something else to keep in mind: don’t take the manufacturer’s description at face value. If they say the adhesive lasts 15 hours, check customer reviews to see if it’s actually the case or if the seller has overhyped the product.
Note: Denture adhesives are meant for one-time use. Once you apply the adhesive, it will last through one use only. After taking the dentures off, clean them and apply a fresh coating of adhesive before re-attaching them.
The Best Denture Adhesive Reviews [UK Market]
1. Fitty Dent SECURE Denture Bonding Cream Review
This is a non-water soluble adhesive, so it provides better grip than other creams. It also prevents moisture from getting under the dentures, which can loosen them.
The cream is thicker than most denture adhesives. You just need a little for the dentures to stick. The higher viscosity and non-soluble nature also provides a stronger bond on relatively flat gums.
You can apply it both on the upper and lower dentures.
The bond lasts about a day. Once you apply it in the morning, it holds well until you take your dentures off at night.
The Fitty Dent cream is zinc-free, so you don’t have to worry about ingesting too much of the mineral especially if you are also taking zinc supplements or medication containing zinc.
It also has no aftertaste.
The cream comes in a pack of four with each tube containing 1.4oz of cream (40 grams).
What we like about it:
- Easy to apply.
- No taste.
- Strong bond that lasts all day.
- Zinc-free.
2. Fixodent Plus Dual Power Denture Adhesive Cream Review
If you want to go for longer without buying denture adhesive cream, we recommend this six-pack. Each tube contains 40g (1.4oz) of cream.
The Fixodent Plus cream provides a strong denture grip that lasts throughout the day. The bond is so good that you can eat tough and chewy foods like steak without worrying that the dentures will come off.
Unlike with some denture adhesives, you can also drink tea and other hot beverages without your dentures getting loose.
The cream is very easy to apply and bonds almost immediately.
It forms a tight seal between your gum and dentures, preventing moisture and food particles from going under your dentures and causing irritation.
It’s also antibacterial.
What we like about it:
- Very strong bond.
- Easy to apply.
- Blocks moisture and bits of food.
- 6-pack – lasts longer before you need to buy more cream.
3. Poligrip Denture Fixative Cream Review
Another good choice if you are looking for a large pack that will last you for some time. Each of the six tubes contains 40g of denture adhesive cream.
It’s also a good choice if you prefer an adhesive cream with a minty flavour.
The cream provides an all-day hold and is strong enough to withstand the force of chewing foods like steak.
The cream is fairly thick so you only need to use a small amount to get it to grip your gum. Using too much can cause it to ooze.
Give it a few minutes after application to bond with your mouth and establish a strong hold. A single application in the morning should easily last the entire day without the dentures getting loose or coming off.
What we like about it:
- Six-pack lasts long.
- Strong bond that lasts all day.
- Fresh minty flavour.
4. OLIVAFIX Gold Revolutionary Healthy Denture Adhesive Cream Review
This is the most expensive of our picks. It’s also the healthiest.
All the other creams and adhesives are zinc-free. OLIVAFIX Gold is not just zinc-free but also free of any petrochemicals.
Instead, the cream uses organic olive oil to establish a strong lasting bond. So if you are feeling a bit icky over the ingredients in other creams, OLIVAFIX Gold is as close as you’ll get to an organic denture adhesive cream.
The organic olive oil creates a smooth texture that feels good against your gums.
The cream is easy to apply and as long as you use the right amount, it doesn’t ooze out from the sides of your dentures.
It lasts all day long without any loosening.
As I mentioned, the cream is fairly pricey compared to other denture adhesives. But perhaps the 15g free tube you get on top of the 75g pack will make you feel better about spending more on the cream.
What we like about it:
- No zinc and petroleum products (e.g. mineral oils).
- Strong bond that lasts all day.
- Easy to apply.
- Free 15g pack.
5. Ultra Wernets Denture Fixative Powder Review
If you prefer a powder adhesive to a cream, we recommend Ultra Wernets denture fixative powder. Some people find powders easier to apply and less messy.
You also don’t have to worry about anything oozing down the sides of the dentures. As a bonus, powder adhesives are much easier to clean off the dentures compared to creams and gels.
Each pack contains 40g of adhesive powder. That doesn’t sound like much. But since you only need to use a little, they last for months.
The powder works great for both upper and lower dentures. You can eat, laugh, talk and even play clarinet or flute with confidence.
To get the best results, clean your dentures first and then apply the powder when they are still wet. You only need a thin layer of powder.
Hold the dentures against your gum to allow the saliva to activate the gum.
Once they’ve set – typically after just a few seconds – the bond lasts all day.
What we like about it:
- Less messy than adhesive creams.
- Easy to apply and clean off.
- All-day bond.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can I use instead of denture glue?
The best alternative to denture gel, paste or powder is a pack of denture adhesive pads. They work just as well as denture glue and most have no taste at all.
You should also consider talking to your dentist. A refitting is a much better choice compared to applying denture adhesive every day.
2. How do I remove denture adhesive from my gums?
Brushing your teeth should remove any adhesive in your mouth or gums. Use warm water to unstick the adhesive.
If there’s still some adhesive left, gargle with mouthwash to get rid of it.
3. Is denture adhesive safe?
Denture adhesives are generally safe to use though you may experience some mild side effects such as stinging and numbness.
Just make sure you don’t use more than the recommended amount of adhesive, especially if it contains zinc.
To be completely safe, get a zinc-free denture adhesive.
