A denture adhesive is used to improve the hold of a denture. Proven adhesives include adhesive creams, adhesive gels, adhesive strips or adhesive powders.
What is a denture adhesive?
Denture adhesives are special adhesives that provide a firm hold for dentures. Denture adhesives are special adhesives that provide a firm hold for dentures. If a denture has insufficient attachment, there is a risk that it will loosen when taking a meal or speaking. Such a process occurs primarily with full dentures. In contrast, partial dentures have firm anchors such as clasps or attachments. In the upper jaw, the firm retention of a denture is usually not a problem. Fixation difficulties can occur in the lower jaw, however, because of the lever movements of the tongue and masticatory muscles. If unfavorable jaw conditions are present, which are usually caused by shrinkage of the alveolar process, a denture bonding agent is used. The use of a denture adhesive is particularly necessary for older denture wearers because they no longer have sufficient viscous saliva due to declining saliva production. However, a denture adhesive can also be useful for new dentures to make the wearer’s acclimation phase easier.
Shapes, types and styles
There are different types of denture adhesives that can provide a firm hold for dentures. Most of the agents are adhesive creams. They are offered both with and without zinc. Zinc has an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, the essential trace element can promote wound healing and relieve pain. By using an adhesive cream, the denture is not stuck to the jaw, but adheres well to it, even if the amount of saliva is no longer sufficient for a natural hold. A film is formed on the base of the denture, which causes the adhesion to increase. Furthermore, cavities that may be present in the jaw are also filled. This applies to adhesive creams as well as other denture adhesives such as adhesive gel, adhesive strips, adhesive pads or adhesive powder. In drugstores and pharmacies, the adhesives are mostly offered in the form of liquids or ointments. Adhesive pads represented a popular variant. These are foils made of stretchable plastic material. The heat of the body softens the material and makes it cling. After being suctioned to the jaw, the adhesive pads can stay on it for up to three weeks. When the denture is cleaned daily, the adhesive pad remains stuck to it. The components of the adhesive pad include polypropylene laurate, methacrylate, iron oxide pigment, titanium dioxide and polybutylene. Another type of denture adhesive is the adhesive strip. It is composed of fine non-woven fabric with sodium alginate. The adhesive strips have the shape of a denture and can be shaped for both the upper and lower jaw. When used, they are placed on the moistened denture.
Structure and mode of operation
The exact composition of denture adhesives is not precisely known, as manufacturers are reluctant to provide relevant information. Depending on which adhesive is used, it may be sodium alginate, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, or a mixture of calcium sodium salts of maleic anhydride and methyl vinyl ether. Other possible ingredients include aloe vera, petrolatum, menthol, zinc, cellobiose, azorubin, kerosene, and silicon dioxide. Among the most common active ingredients is methyl cellulose. Denture adhesives containing this substance achieve an immediate effect and have a long-term effect. The basic prerequisite for the positive effect of a denture adhesive is a well-fitting denture, because defects in the denture cannot be compensated for by the adhesive. If the denture is a good fit, the adhesive causes the mucus to thicken and become more viscous. In this way, the denture adheres. Before insertion, the denture owner cleans the denture outside the mouth. Adhesive powder is considered useful for an upper denture, while an adhesive cream is more suitable for a lower denture. To apply, the user applies four pea-sized amounts to the denture.He then places the denture in his mouth and presses it firmly there until it adheres. After that, it is important to allow some time to pass before eating and speaking. It is not advisable to use too much denture adhesive, because this reduces the adhesive effect. Removing the adhesive from the denture should be done every day for hygienic reasons.
Medical and health benefits
The use of a denture adhesive provides the denture wearer with several benefits. For example, the adhesives provide a better fit as well as a comfortable feel for the dentures. For example, the movements of the denture are reduced, which in turn counteracts unpleasant pressure points. At the same time, the gums are cushioned, which gives the user a better feeling when wearing the denture. Since the denture adhesive increases the hold of the denture, the user of the denture can bite more forcefully. Furthermore, the adhesive also seals the edge of the denture. In this way, food residues can be prevented from sticking. With the help of denture adhesive, the wearer of third teeth feels more confident and self-assured. He can eat, speak and laugh without fear. According to the results of numerous public studies, denture adhesives actually improve the hold of dentures, provided they have a proper fit. Even irritation or pressure points caused by the dentures can be reduced by the adhesives. From a health point of view, the use of denture adhesives is considered harmless. However, it is important to remove the breeding ground for harmful germs by regularly replacing the adhesive.
