Best denture adhesives, according to dentists
That memory stuck with me — just like the best denture adhesives should. Today, finding the right one still involves a bit of trial and error. Polident, Fixodent and Sea Bond were the go-to's in my house growing up. After researching over a dozen products and consulting with dental experts, I found that these old standbys remain popular — but they're far from the only options.
It's estimated that more than 36 million Americans have no natural teeth and roughly 120 million are missing at least one tooth. While dental implants are growing in popularity, traditional dentures remain a common solution. And with the use of dentures comes the need for reliable adhesives — a market that's grown significantly since the first formulas were introduced in the early 1900s. Now a $1.69 billion industry, denture adhesives are expected to surpass $2.7 billion globally by 2032.
So how do you go about finding the right one? I spoke with dental experts to better understand the different types of adhesives, what to look for in a product and the best options currently on the market. Keep reading for our picks of the best denture adhesives in 2025.
One of the most important factors when buying a denture adhesive is deciding which type. Here's a breakdown of each:
Creams: Adhesive creams are popular because they tend to offer the strongest hold and are effective for preventing food from getting trapped underneath your dentures. That said, they're messier to apply and some contain zinc, which, over time, could lead to serious side effects if consumed in excess (more on that below).
Powders: Powder adhesives are easy to apply, as most can be sprinkled directly on your dentures. They create a tight seal, offer a long-lasting hold and can be easier to remove than creams. Plus, many are zinc-free. Potential downsides include messy application and a higher price compared to creams.
Strips: Adhesive strips offer a mess-free alternative and are easy to apply. However, they're generally more expensive and don't have as strong of a hold as creams or powders, so you may need to adjust or reapply them more frequently. Depending on how thick the strip is, it may affect your bite.
Pads: Slightly larger and more cushioned than strips, pads offer a similar convenience factor. Some people find pads help dentures feel more comfortable and reduce irritation. However, the thickness of the pad can affect your bite and tongue movement. Plus, as with strips, they're often more expensive and tend not to hold as long as creams or powders.
Thermoplastics: A newer type of adhesive, thermoplastic adhesives mold to your dentures and gums, filling gaps between them to provide suction, stability and greater comfort. They provide a longer, more secure fit but can be more challenging to remove.
It's important to remember that there's no one-size-fits-all denture adhesive solution. Just because a cream offers the strongest hold doesn't mean it's right for you. When shopping for an adhesive, keep in mind the following factors:
Adhesive type: There are pros and cons of each type of adhesive. Differences in ease of application and removal, holding strength and price can help you decide which option is right for you. For partial dentures, creams, powders and thermoplastics typically work better than pads or strips.
Holding strength and duration: For daily use, creams and powders tend to offer better holding strength than strips or pads. However, a thermoplastic adhesive may be better if you prefer to leave your dentures in for multiple days in a row.
Inclusion of zinc in the ingredients: There's growing concern that zinc used in dental adhesives may contribute to excessive levels of zinc in the body, which may result in serious side effects like copper deficiency and nerve damage. The FDA states that zinc-containing adhesives are safe when used as directed. However, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends avoiding zinc-containing denture adhesives as a precautionary measure. If you take zinc supplements or simply feel more comfortable avoiding adhesives that don't contain this mineral, look for zinc-free products.
Other ingredients and potential allergens: Check the ingredient carefully to make sure you aren't allergic to any of them. It can also be a good idea to choose products with relatively short ingredient lists that are free (or contain minimal amounts) of artificial additives, like colors or flavors.
Ease of application and removal: Some adhesive types and specific products are easier to apply or remove than others. Reading online reviews is a helpful way to assess whether a product may be easier, or more challenging, than others.
Comfort and fit: The best denture adhesive is the one that fits properly and that you feel comfortable wearing. The adhesive should ensure a secure grip and minimize irritation causes by your denture rubbing against your gums. While online reviews can help you get a sense of the types of dentures a product may be best suited for, it can take some trial and error to find the product that's most comfortable for you.
Taste: Many denture adhesives are flavorless, while others have a minty taste. Which one to choose ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Brand reputation: Ideally, look for a denture adhesive that's manufactured by a reputable brand, like Poligrip, and approved by the ADA.
Price: Certain types and brands of dental adhesives are more expensive than others. Depending on your dental needs, a more affordable option may be a good fit, or, you may find that a pricier (but more comfortable or longer-lasting) adhesive is worth the cost. Keep in mind that many denture adhesives are HSA- or FSA-eligible. You can also save money by purchasing in bulk.
To find the best denture adhesives, I researched over 10 popular products on the market using insights from dental professionals, including a prosthodontist and a cosmetic dentist. To compile the final list, I considered key factors such as holding strength, ease of use, comfort, ingredients, taste, price, brand reputation and suitability for full and partial dentures. Because different adhesive options work better for some than others, our list of winners includes all major types of adhesives — creams, powders, strips, pads and thermoplastics.
Fixodent Complete Original Denture Adhesive Cream: Invented in 1968, Fixodent is one of the best-known brands of denture adhesives and is one that prosthodontist Sandip Sachar, DDS recommends. "We recommend using Fixodent almost exclusively. Fixodent is an excellent product and has high patient satisfaction rates. I have been recommending Fixodent for many years," she says. The catch? This cream (and all of Fixodent's adhesive creams) contains zinc. Concerns about excessive zinc intake from overuse of denture adhesives has led the ADA to recommend avoiding zinc-containing denture adhesives as a precautionary measure. This is the reason the product didn't make our top recommendations. That said, products like Fixodent are generally considered safe when used as directed and not combined with zinc-containing supplements.
Corega Denture Fixing Cream: Manufactured by the same company that makes Polident and Poligrip, Corega is a popular brand outside of the U.S. Corega has a loyal following, with customers appreciating its lack of artificial colors and flavors. Its Denture Fixing Cream is also zinc-free. The biggest downsides are the cost and limited availability in the United States, especially if you prefer to purchase your adhesive at a store rather than online.
Effergrip Denture Adhesive Cream: This mint-flavored cream provides a strong hold for dentures, helping to prevent slippage and discomfort. Reviewers appreciate its zinc-free formulation and ease of application. However, many reviewers complain that it needs frequent reapplication and leaves residue on dentures even after cleaning.
Secure Waterproof Denture Bonding Cream: Made by the same company as our pick for the best adhesive strip, Secure's adhesive cream offers easy application and is free from zinc and artificial colors. However, like Effergrip, some reviewers complain that this cream requires frequent reapplication and leaves residue on dentures.
Cushion Grip Thermoplastic Denture Adhesive: This thermoplastic adhesive provides a suction-based, rather than glue-based, adhesion and molds to dentures for a customizable fit and long-lasting hold. However, some reviewers say that the application can be time-consuming and the thermoplastic cushions can be difficult to remove. It's also more expensive per ounce than our top thermoplastic adhesive pick.
Key factors to consider include holding strength, duration of effectiveness, ingredients and how easy the adhesive is to apply and remove. Personal preferences and medical conditions can also influence which adhesive works best and is most comfortable for you.
Dental adhesives work by providing a sticky layer between gum tissue and dentures to keep dentures in place. Saliva and fluids help fill any air space, expanding the adhesive for an even more secure fit. Some dentists believe that if dentures fit correctly, there's no need for adhesive. But if dentures don't fit properly, adhesives won't help. Most research recognizes the value of denture adhesives in improving denture retention, bite force and chewing performance in patients with complete dentures, relieving gum irritation, or providing denture wearers with additional confidence and security that their dentures will stay in place. Adhesives can also seal out food particles that can cause discomfort or contribute to bacterial buildup.
Begin with clean, dry dentures and follow the package instructions, using as little of the adhesive as necessary. Here are some general guidelines:
Creams: Apply a thin strip of cream along the ridges of your dentures. Insert your dentures and hold them firmly in place for a few seconds so the adhesive will set.
Powders: Moisten your dentures and sprinkle powder on the wet surface. Insert your dentures and hold them in place. The powder is activated by saliva and will adhere to the gum surface.
Strips: Clean and dry your dentures well. Any moisture or residue can make dentures slip. Apply strips (making sure not to overlap them) to the ridges of your dentures, but not too close to the edge. Lightly moisten with water to activate the adhesive. Using your fingers, smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles on the strips. Insert dentures and hold them in place for a few seconds to allow the adhesive to set.
Pads (or adhesive denture cushions): Ensure your dentures are clean and dry before applying pads. Peel open and avoid touching the sticky side. Like strips, apply along the ridges of your dentures, making sure pads don't overlap, not too close to the edges. Remove the foil and firmly press the pads into place. Insert dentures and hold them for a few seconds to allow the adhesive to set.
Ideally, once a day. 'You can reapply if you find the adhesive is not holding up. For the best results, I recommend following the instructions on the product label or your dentist's instructions,' says Wei. Sachar adds, 'When patients report that they have been using more adhesive than they have in the past, that is an indication that it may be time to create a new denture due to changes in the bone structure of the jaw over time, usually as a result of bone loss.'
'Yes, but I do not recommend this. It is good to give your gums and oral tissues a rest. If you do sleep with them, ensure they are cleaned thoroughly,' says Wei. However, the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) doesn't endorse sleeping with dentures, with or without adhesives, especially if the patient snores or has sleep-disordered breathing problems. Instead, the ACP recommends daily removal of denture adhesives.
Residue buildup, the need for frequent reapplication and the risk of improper use leading to discomfort or gum irritation are common signs to watch for. Some people should avoid using adhesives altogether. These includes those with sore gums or mouth sores, people with allergies to adhesive ingredients (such as latex, acrylic or zinc), people with poorly fitting dentures and those with certain medical conditions, like diabetes or HIV/AIDS, that make gum healing more difficult in the event of irritation. In these cases, denture reliners or cushions, like Sea Bond, may be a better option.
Sandip Sachar, DDS, prosthodontist, board member at Stony Brook Dental School and committee member of the New York County Dental Society
Michael J. Wei, DDS, FIADFE, general and cosmetic dentist in New York City
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
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