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Oral Health Foundation announces clear guidelines for denture adhesive use

A research project on the correct application and removal of denture adhesive has resulted in the publication of a clear set of guidelines. The guidelines are based on the consensus of an international panel of key experts. (Photograph: GSK)
Dental Tribune International

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 18 July 2019

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RUGBY, UK: The Oral Health Foundation, a UK charity that aims at improving well-being by reducing the harm caused by oral disease, has announced clear, simple and scientifically backed guidelines on using denture adhesive. In this way, the foundation is providing uniform advice that dental professionals can give to completely edentulous patients who use denture adhesive. The guidelines were developed by a global task force and are part of a research project sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.

By 2050, there are expected to be two billion people aged 60 years or older in the world—more than double today’s figure. Although this means that the number of denture wearers is expected to increase, there have been few guidelines on the proper use of denture adhesives. Currently, a large number of denture wearers are left without advice on what type of adhesive to use, how much and how often to use it, and how to apply and remove it. Moreover, the little advice these patients do get varies tremendously. This negatively impacts their quality of life, quality of diet and overall well-being.

Recently, a task force of experts from the UK, the US, Greece, Japan and Switzerland undertook a comprehensive review of existing literature and developed a clear set of guidelines on the optimal use of denture adhesive for dental healthcare professionals, caregivers and patients. The guidelines were published as a white paper, titled Guidelines for the Use of Denture Adhesives and their Benefits for Oral and General Health, and can be summarised as follows:

  1. Make sure the denture is clean and dry. Then put a small amount of denture adhesive cream on to it. This should only be necessary once a day.
  2. Put the denture into your mouth and firmly close the mouth for a couple of seconds. If the adhesive cream overflows, you have used too much. Remove any spare adhesive. Do not swallow it and do not eat or drink anything for 5 minutes.
  3. Take your denture out before going to sleep. Clean the denture and the inside of your mouth thoroughly to remove any adhesive.
  4. Ask your dentist for a regular appointment so that your mouth and dentures can be checked.

These simple steps can improve the retention and stability of dentures, give the wearers greater confidence and comfort, and reduce or eliminate food debris beneath dentures. Dr Nigel Carter, OBE, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation, commented: “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. These new guidelines will give dental professionals the confidence to know how and when to recommend denture adhesives for maximum patient benefit”.

The white paper can be read here.

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