The Oral Health Foundation has published a new set of global science-based guidelines for denture adhesives to combat the current lack of guidance that exists for full denture wearers about their correct use.
The research reinforces the role that denture adhesives and fixatives play in having “best fitting” dentures, the organization says. Benefits include better retention and stability, improved confidence and comfort, and reduction or elimination of food debris beneath the denture.
After a comprehensive review of existing guidance for the best use of denture adhesives, the Oral Health Foundation’s global task force of academic experts only found limited recommendations and guidance in existence.
“The current lack of guidance on the use of denture adhesives may mean that denture wearers are left confused. The evidence is clear. Using an adhesive can provide benefits for patients with best-fitting dentures both in terms of function, confidence, and comfort,” said Dr. Nigel Carter, OBE, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation.
“These new guidelines will give dental professionals the confidence to know how and when to recommend denture adhesives for maximum patient benefit,” said Carter.
Sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, the guidelines were announced as part of the International Association for Dental Research 2019 meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The task force included experts from the Oral Health Foundation and King’s College London along with representatives from the United States, Greece, Japan, and Switzerland. It formed to reflect the global need for advice for denture wearers, as the researchers expect 2 billion people age 60 or older in the world by 2050.
The guidelines provide simple steps for patients for applying dentures:
- Make sure your denture is clean and dry. Put a small amount of denture adhesive cream onto it only once a day.
- Put the denture into your mouth and firmly close your mouth for a couple of seconds. If the adhesive cream overflows, you have used too much. Remove any spare adhesive and do not swallow it. Don’t eat or drink anything for five minutes.
- Before going to sleep, remove the denture. Clean it and the inside of your mouth thoroughly to remove any adhesive.
- Ask your dentist for a regular appointment so your mouth and dentures could be checked.
The new guidelines follow previous advice about how to clean dentures launched in August 2018. Together, the Oral Health Foundation says, these guidelines form a comprehensive resource on full dentures for dental professionals, caregivers, and denture wearers.
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