Choosing the right denture fixative is very personal to every individual, so I recommend you try out a variety of products. In this post, I’ve included recommendations in several different categories.
That being said, based on my own hands-on experience as a dentist, I recommend powder over paste. Whilst pastes are more widely known, powders give the added advantage of being easy to apply all over. The bottle only needs to be gently squeezed for a puff of power to come out.
I go into more detail about my choices throughout this post and include other useful advice about using denture adhesive.
My recommendations at a glance
Best power: Poligrip Denture Adhesive Powder. (Amazon, Walmart). The most widely available denture adhesive in powder form. It’s financially economical, easy to apply, and easy to remove at the end of the day. Why I chose it.
Best cream / gel: Poligrip Power Max Hold + Seal (Amazon, Walmart). This adhesive cream offers the strongest bond, according to Poligrip. It is available in flavored and flavor free varieties. It is zinc free and readily available on store and online. Why I chose it.
Cushion Grip Thermoplastic Denture Adhesive. (Amazon, Walmart). This essentially a soft reline which lasts up to four days. It improves the comfort of your denture without the mess of traditional sticky adhesives. Why I chose it.
Key advice when choosing and using your adhesive
- Try different types of adhesives like gels, powders, strips to find what works best for you. It’s a personal choice.
- Powders can be easier to apply evenly and remove excess compared to pastes.
- Soft reline adhesives last longer (days) but can be trickier to apply than pastes.
- Partial denture wearers can use gels/pastes, but cushion liners may not work as well.
- Zinc-free formulas reduce risk of problems from overuse of zinc products.
- Follow package directions closely, don’t overuse. Use small, pea-sized amounts.
- Check packaging to ensure adhesive can be used with metal dentures.
- Apply adhesive to a clean, dry denture for best results.
- Remove adhesive completely each night, soak and brush dentures. Also brush your gums.
- Adhesives can help loose dentures stay in place temporarily before getting adjusted.
- See a dentist regularly to check fit and adjust/reline dentures as needed for long-term fit.
- Adhesives are temporary solutions. Don’t over-rely on them long-term without dental advice.
How to pick the best denture adhesive
Whilst I have listed some recommended products below, it is important to note that picking the best denture adhesive is a very personal process.
What works well for some people will not work for others.
This also applies when it comes to learning how much you need to use – you will learn what works for you!
Below is some basic advice on what to look for when choosing a denture adhesive.
- Check the ingredients list
- Avoid any ingredients you are allergic or sensitive to
- Consider whether you want a zinc containing or zinc free adhesive
- You can look for vegan or natural products if that is your preference
- Choose the texture or form you want
- Options include creams, gels, pastes, powders, strips
- Choose whether you want an adhesive or the reliner type of product
- Decide whether you want flavored or unflavored
- Think about how easy it is to apply, especially if you have limited hand mobility
- Think about the color – how easy is it to see, especially if you have limited vision
- Consider the cost of the product
- An average tube (2.4 ounce or 70g) should last seven to eight weeks when using it correctly on both upper and lower dentures
- Pre cut strips work out more expensive than other options
- Reliner type adhesives are expensive but last the longest
- Check for external validation
- Check the product is registered as a medical device using the FDA tool
- You may prefer products with the American Dental Association Seal of Approval
Best denture powder: Poligrip Denture Adhesive Powder
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Poligrip Denture Adhesive Powder | 961 Reviews | $12.87 | View on Amazon |
I would actually recommend using a powder over a paste. Poligrip Denture Adhesive Powder is a good choice — it’s available from Amazon, Walmart and other stores.
Whilst pastes are more widely known, powders give the added advantage of being easy to apply all over. The bottle only needs to be gently squeezed for a puff of power to come out.
Removing it is also very easy if you have applied too much. Simply shake it off the denture.
They are also cheaper in the long run as one bottle can last longer than a single tube of paste, when used correctly.
This powder gives a better all over fix compared to using a paste. After applying the powder, dip the whole denture in a bowl of water to improve the overall fit within the mouth.
There aren’t many options available for denture adhesive powders, and my recommendation is based largely on what is available where you live.
The two most popular options are Poligrip Denture Adhesive Powder and Ultra Wernets Denture Fixative Powder. Poligrip is owned by GSK whereas Wernet’s is Distributed by Omega Pharma Ltd. They come in the same size, shape, and color bottle. The listed ingredients are the same, and the texture is the same. In some places, Ultra Wernets is also labelled as Poligrip Ultra Wernets.
Availability wise, Poligrip is available in the US, and Ultra Wernets in the UK.
The listed ingredients are cellulose gum, calcium/sodium PVM/MA copolymer, flavor. Both have a mild minty flavor.
What we like
- Zinc free formula
- Lasts all day
- Recyclable packaging
- Mild flavor
- Easy to get all over application
- Recyclable packaging
What we dislike
- Initial cost of bottle is more expensive than paste
- Easy to apply too much
- Can be more difficult to find in stores
Best denture cream / gel: Poligrip Power Max Hold + Seal
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Poligrip Power Max Power Hold plus Seal Denture Adhesive Cream | 2,982 Reviews |
$5.48 |
View on Amazon |
Poligrip Power Max Hold + Seal is my recommendations for the best overall denture adhesive. It’s available from Amazon, Walmart and various other stores.
I chose this because it is a widely available paste (the most popular type of adhesive), which they report to have their best hold (compared to other variations), and is also zinc free. Also, it comes in a minty flavor or a flavorless form.
Whilst zinc is safe if used correctly, opting for a zinc free formula reduces the risk of any problems should too much adhesive be used. For that reason I have selected a zinc free paste over a zinc containing paste.
This paste is designed to last for a day at a time, if used correctly. By following the instructions, the tube should last you a couple of months.
Poligrip Power Hold + Seal can be used on all types of dentures; full or partials, metal or plastic. So it really is suitable for everyone.
In terms of use, the tube is easy to squeeze, and the paste comes out of a narrow nozzle. It comes out as a white colored paste which is not sticky until it is exposed to moisture.
The main ingredients are: Calcium/Sodium PVM/MA Copolymer, Petrolatum, Cellulose gum, Mineral oil.
What we like
- Paste is easy to apply
- Available in stores and online
- Zinc free formula
- Strong hold
- flavored or flavor free option
What we dislike
- Plastic packaging not recyclable
- Can be more expensive than other Poligrip pastes
- Not everyone likes texture of a paste
Best long lasting denture adhesive: Cushion Grip Thermoplastic Denture Adhesive
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Cushion Grip Thermoplastic Denture Adhesive |
21,833 Reviews |
$11.99
$9.99 |
View on Amazon |
If you are looking for something which will last for days, rather than hours, then I would recommend looking at Cushion Grip Thermoplastic Denture Adhesive. It is available from Amazon and Walmart.
This doesn’t stick like the powder and pastes I have already mentioned. Instead, it acts as a temporary reline material. It softens the fitting surface of the denture, making it softer against the gums.
It helps the denture stay in place by improving the shape of the denture so there is better suction between the denture and the gums. This improves the fit if you know that your denture is no longer the right shape, until you can have another one made.
I have recommended Cushion Grip as one of the most widely known options.
Whilst this isn’t the simplest option to use, you can get a good fit. Because it is designed to last about 4 days, it is more hygienic than soft options that recommend leaving them in place for up to 30 days.
The fixative (reline material) comes in a tube. It does need to be squeezed from the tube, after the tube has been warmed in hot water. A key is supplied to make it easier to squeeze the tube. It is not as simple as squirting straight onto the denture, and the directions do need to be followed to get the best fit.
The ingredients are listed as polyvinyl acetate, FD&C Yellow #6 Aluminium Lake, Ethyl alcohol with methyl salicylate and a plasticizer.
Pros
- Lasts for days rather than hours
- No sticky feeling
- Does not need to be cleaned away from gums
- Zinc free formula
- Easy to remove (no brushing required)
Cons
- Difficult to apply – requires a number of steps
- Only really available online
- Packaging not recyclable
Best natural / vegan denture adhesive: NaturDent Denture Adhesive Cream
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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NaturDent Denture Adhesive Cream | 126 Reviews |
$25.00 |
View on Amazon |
This uses pine resin to help it become sticky, and is a totally zinc free option. It has no zinc, artificial flavors or colors. It is also gluten free.
It is an off white color paste which does feel mildly sticky from the moment it comes out of the tube. When it becomes moist it expands further and becomes even stickier.
NaturDent is designed to last all day, and then needs to be cleaned away from the denture and the mouth at the end of the day.
The tube has a twist cap, and is easy to squeeze to get the adhesive out.
NaturDent is made in Austria, but can be bought online. It is made by Fittydent, the same company behind Secure denture adhesives.
The ingredients are: Pine resin, Polyvinylacetate (PVA), Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), Cocos nucifera oil, Silica.
Pros
- Paste is easy to apply
- Natural Ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Zinc free formula
- Strong hold
Cons
- Plastic packaging not recyclable
- Only available online
- Paying a premium for a natural paste
- Not everyone likes the texture of a paste
Poligrip vs Fixdodent — what’s the difference?
Poligrip and Fixodent are two of the most widely known brands of denture adhesive.
Poligrip is made by GSK – the same brand who also makes Sensodyne toothpaste. They have a wider selection of denture products. The parent company of Fixodent is Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Oral-B.
They are both widely available and produced in many countries around the world. The exact products available will vary from country to country, and will have different names in different countries.
Poligrip are mostly zinc free whilst most Fixodent adhesives do contain zinc. This is one consideration for you. If used as directed, zinc containing denture adhesive is safe for daily use. See the section on zinc below to read more about the potential problems of using zinc containing denture adhesive.
Fixodent has fewer options available which helps to narrow down the choice if you are feeling overwhelmed.
The prices are roughly the same for both brands (excluding any special offers or multibuys).
Both have numerous options available, and I have summarised them below (note that the names do change regularly and not all of them might be available in your country):
| Poligrip | Fixodent | |
|---|---|---|
| Marketed as strongest cream | Poligrip Power Max Hold + Seal (flavor free and mint options, Zinc free) | Fixodent Ultra Max Hold With or without Scope |
| Cream With Zinc | Polident Super Poligrip Cushion Grip Denture Adhesive | Fixodent Pure Strength (flavor free), Fixodent Plus Breath Bacteria Guard, Fixodent Plus Scope, Fixodent Complete Original, Fixodent Ultra Max Hold Plus Food Seal |
| Cream Zinc free | Polident Super Poligrip Original Denture (Mint flavor), Poligrip Zinc-Free Denture Adhesive Cream (flavor free), Polident Super Poligrip Ultra Fresh Denture Adhesive (Mint flavor) | |
| Cream for sore gums | Polident Super Poligrip Extra Care Dental Adhesive Cream (Zinc free, extra ingredient for gums) | Fixodent Plus Gum Care |
| Powder | Polident Super Poligrip Denture Adhesive Powder( Mint flavor, Zinc free) | Fixodent Extra Hold Powder |
| Pre cut strips | Poligrip Comfort Seal Denture Adhesive Strips (Zinc free) |
The different types of denture adhesive and how to use them
Most people classify denture adhesives according to what form they are sold in (gels, creams, powders, strips, cushions).
Generally, there is little research comparing how good they are, and the studies which do exist focus on complete dentures.
As adhesives are normally classed as medical devices, they should at least be tested for safety before being marketed.
Another way to compare adhesives is depending on the ingredients they have, or how they work.
Denture adhesives work in one of two main ways. They are either sticky, causing the surface of the denture to be glued to the gums. Or they change the shape of the denture to improve natural suction, but without being sticky themselves.
The sticky types are true adhesives, and dissolve over the course of the day. These come in many different forms.
The softer reline type is not soluble so will last much longer. They are a very thick liquid. They act as more of a cushion than a glue, and change the fitting surface of the denture. These are better suited to complete dentures.
The following table explains this further. Note that these are rough guides and that you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
| Type | Example products | Soluble? | Pros | Cons | How long do they last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gels, Creams, and Pastes | Dr B’s Adhesadent, Fixodent denture adhesive creams, NaturDent Denture Adhesive Cream, Poligrip denture adhesive | Yes | Most widely available, Strongest bond, Most “sticky” option, Zinc and zinc free options, Easy to apply, Affordable | Difficult to remove from denture, Difficult to remove from mouth, Can cause gum irritations, Easy to apply too much | Average of 4-12 hours or up to 1 day – designed to be removed at the end of the day. Some need replacing after each meal. |
| Powders | Polident Super Poligrip Denture Adhesive Powder, Ultra Wernets Denture Fixative Powder | Yes | Easy to apply – no cutting or measuring needed, More resistant to being dislodged compared to paste types, Less sticky than paste but more sticky than pre-cut strips, Relatively easy to clean denture after use, Zinc and zinc free options | More messy to apply than all other types of adhesive, Limited options available, Can cause gum irritations | Average of 4-12 hours or up to 1 day – designed to be removed at the end of the day. Some need replacing after each meal. |
| Adhesive strips and wafers | Poligrip Comfort Seal Denture Adhesive Strips, Seabond Denture Fixative Seals | Yes | Come with correct amount already applied, Good for complete dentures, Separate packs for uppers and lowers, Easy to see and feel | Not always suitable for partial dentures, Might need to be trimmed to size, Can be fiddly to cut to size, Least “sticky” option | Will dissolve during the day, but can last 4-12 hours per application. |
| Temporary reline/denture cushions/soft denture liners | Bonyf Denture Relining Cushion, Cushion Grip Thermoplastic Denture Adhesive, DentTemp Reline It, FittyDent (Secure) Waterproof Denture Adhesive Strips, OlivaFix Denture Relining Cushion | No | For complete plastic dentures only, Changes fitting surface, Reduces friction, Improves suction/vacuum effect, Does not need to be cleaned away from gums | Can’t be used on metal dentures, Can’t be used on partial dentures, No sticky feeling, Multiple steps to applying – might need to heat fixative before applying | 4-30 days |
How to use denture adhesive
There are slight differences between different brands and products, so do double check. Our guidance is just a starting point.
Below I have included some useful advice for using denture adhesives.
Always follow the instructions on the packaging. If you are unsure about anything, talk to a dental professional.
If you are using a denture adhesive and get a sore mouth or ulcers, stop using the product and see a dental professional.
Do not use too much zinc-containing denture adhesive and only apply as per the packaging instructions. These adhesives are safe if used properly, but overuse can lead to toxicity symptoms. See a doctor if you experience symptoms such as numbness or tingling sensations in the extremities.
- Always start with a clean denture.
- Remove dentures at the end of every day and do not wear them overnight.
- Remove the glue from both the denture and your mouth daily.
- Some denture adhesives last all day, whilst others need to be replaced during the day. Follow the instructions and find what works for you.
- Less is more. You do not need to overload your denture with your chosen denture glue.
- A minimal layer will create a nice thin section of suction. And this will help to retain the denture better than applying too much.
- Applying too much adhesive will cause it to spread up and over the side of your denture. It will not help the denture stay in place. If you have adhesive overflowing the edge of your denture, you are using too much.
- Make sure your mouth is moist before putting the denture back in.
- If you have a dry mouth you can have a sip of water before putting the denture in place.
- If you are struggling with getting the denture damp enough for the adhesive to activate, you can drop the denture with adhesive on it into a glass of water for 20 to 30 seconds to hydrate it. Then place the denture in the mouth.
How to remove denture adhesive
It is important to keep your dentures clean to avoid irritating the gums or developing fungal infections.
Every adhesive will come with instructions on how to remove it. Generally though you will need to soak, brush, soak. This will get all the adhesive off.
Soak the denture in water.
Use a denture brush to remove gel-type, powder, and strip adhesives at the end of every day.
Soaking your denture after brushing them will also help remove debris.
Remove adhesive from the mouth using a soft toothbrush or gauze. Do not use foam sticks as these have a high risk of breaking and are a choking hazard.
See our post on how to clean dentures for more information, or watch our video:
Zinc in denture adhesives can be safe if used with care
Zinc is a mineral important in general health. Generally it is safe if used in smaller doses.
But zinc containing denture adhesives can have problems if overused in the long term. These denture adhesives can cause copper deficiency and excessive zinc in the blood. Worst case scenario, they can even cause nerve damage.
Note that this only applies if too much denture adhesive is being used and if it is being re-applied multiple times per day.
However, if you are concerned there are plenty of zinc-free options available.
Most creams, gels and pastes are suitable for partial dentures
There is a lack of research into adhesive specifically for partial dentures. Studies focus on complete dentures.
That said, most creams, gels and pastes will be suitable for partial dentures. Some pre-cut adhesive strips can be trimmed down and used on partial dentures too.
You don’t need to buy specific partial denture adhesive as most cream formats can be used on both partial and full dentures.
Soft relines and denture cushions generally aren’t suitable for partial denture wearers. This is because they can spill around the areas where teeth are, making them very difficult to remove.
Do check packaging to be sure your denture adhesive can be used on partial dentures.
Be especially careful using adhesives with metal dentures
Some denture adhesive can damage the metal surface. Only use denture adhesive that specifically says it is safe for use with metal dentures.
At the time of writing, I could not find any adhesives designed just for metal dentures. My recommendation is to check the packaging when buying a product. It will be safe to use unless it specifically says to avoid using it with a metal denture.
Other solutions if you’ve got badly fitting dentures
To be clear, most people should not need to use denture adhesives long term. You can choose to use it if it is more comfortable for you, but good fitting dentures don’t need fixative.
It is actually easier if you don’t need to use denture glue, as they then don’t need as much cleaning.
If you find you are using denture adhesive all the time, it is worth booking an appointment with your dentist to see if there is anything they can do to improve the retention of your denture.
Long term you should look to have your dentures relined (have the fitting surface of them remoulded against your gums), or have a new set of dentures made.
FAQ
How much adhesive do I need?
There is no evidence to say exactly how much denture gel or cream to use. Most manufacturers recommend pea sized amounts. It is important not to overload the denture.
Is it safe to use denture adhesive long term?
There is not much evidence into the effects of using denture adhesive for more than six months. Generally they are considered safe for long term use for most people.
What is the strongest type of denture adhesive?
Denture gels, creams, and pastes are better adhesives than pre-formed adhesive strips or cushions. It is difficult to directly compare brands and there is no definitive evidence to say which one is the strongest.
What is the strongest denture adhesive on the market?
There is not one single product that can be confirmed as the strongest denture glue. Different people will get on better with different products. How the glue is used is also important to get a very strong seal. Generally though, pastes and creams have a better hold.
Can I use denture adhesive with a soft liner?
Sticky type adhesives are not recommended to be used with soft relines – either homemade or dentist made soft relines. Adhesives can be used with dentist made hard relines.
Does extra-strong denture adhesive work?
Yes, some sticky type adhesives have proven evidence to support the fact that stronger bonds are made between the gums and the denture. Different brands use different words to describe their “strongest” adhesive.
