How To Remove Denture Adhesive From Your Mouth & Gum

It is important to know how to remove denture adhesive from your gums and dentures after each use. After all, you do not want residual denture adhesive lingering all night since it is essential to keep your gums clean.

Unfortunately, there are times when denture adhesive does not naturally become loose, which can make it difficult to remove your dentures. Sometimes, you may even remove your dentures only to find adhesive residue in your mouth, leaving behind an uncomfortable feeling. Luckily, there are many different ways to remove denture adhesive.

How To Remove Denture Adhesive

• Allow Your Denture Adhesive To Loosen Naturally

Denture adhesive is created to loosen naturally in the presence of any water or moisture. Because of this, most denture adhesives contain a substance that absorbs the saliva in your mouth so that moisture does not loosen the adhesive too soon.

This design does work for most of the day, but eventually, that substance loses its capacity to absorb any further saliva. It is at this point that the denture adhesive will naturally start to loosen.

Ideally, you should be able to remove your dentures without any trouble and without any adhesive residue remaining on your gums. The only trace of adhesive you should see would be on the dentures themselves, which can then be cleaned easily.

• Warm Water

If you are at the end of the day and your denture adhesive has not loosened, rinse your mouth with a bit of warm water.

Before you place the water in your mouth, be sure that you can handle the temperature and that it is not too hot so you do not accidentally burn your mouth.

Take a small sip of warm tap water and swirl it around your mouth for about a minute to break off the denture seal. You may have to do this a couple of times to fully break the seal. Remember that the longer you hold the warm water in your mouth, the more it will help to loosen the adhesive from your gum surfaces.

Once your dentures have been removed, repeat the procedure two or three times to thoroughly remove any remaining adhesive residue.

• Saline Solution

Another method you can try to remove denture adhesive from your gums is to rinse your mouth with a salt and water mixture. You can start by mixing half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water until it is completely dissolved (about 2 minutes).

Then, rinse and gargle with the created solution to help loosen the denture adhesive and clear away any leftover residue.

• Mouthwash

Another option to consider is mouthwash. The moisture provided can help to loosen up your denture adhesive while also providing you with fresh breath and a clean mouth at the same time.

Just like the saline solution, you will want to rinse and gargle with the mouthwash for about 30 seconds to 1 minute to receive the full effect of the mouthwash.

Again, you may have to repeat the process a couple of times to get your dentures fully loosened, but once there is enough moisture, your dentures should loosen easily.

• Toothbrush

One of the easiest ways to remove any lingering adhesive is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Grab a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste and place it on your toothbrush.

You will then want to gently brush your gums for about 2 minutes. Doing this will help to remove any leftover adhesive that remained on your gums when you removed your dentures. It will also help to enhance your oral health. It is highly recommended to follow this step regularly anyway since it helps to maintain clean and healthy gums.

You can also always contact your dental health professional for recommendations if you are unsure how much adhesive to use, or worst case, you cannot remove a denture secured with adhesive.

Why Remove Denture Adhesive?

Denture adhesive is used to hold your dentures in place when your dentures become loose. It is important that this adhesive is removed when you take out your dentures, as sometimes, the adhesive does not completely come off when you take out your dentures.

It is recommended for good oral health that you remove your dentures for at least 6 to 8 hours within a 24-hour period. This is so you can clean them as well as give your gums a rest.

If you do not try to thoroughly remove your denture adhesive, it can be difficult to apply the new adhesive when you put your dentures back in your mouth.

Is Denture Adhesive Harmful (If Swallowed)?

Denture adhesives have been known to cause some health issues if too much is used or ingested. These issues can affect your long-term health and well-being.

Some side effects that may be caused by the ingestion of denture adhesive or the overuse of the adhesive include:

• Digestive Distress

Denture adhesives are a mix of complex chemical compounds that can cause stomach issues if ingested in high quantities. While all of the digestive issues that can come from the overuse or ingestion of dental adhesives are unknown, some denture adhesives have been noted to present certain side effects when ingested.

For example, the denture adhesive Fixodent has been reported to induce mild cases of constipation in patients who have used too much or consumed it. These mild cases have impacted the ability of the patients to experience normal bowel movements.

• Toxicity Of Zinc

Much like many other nutrients, zinc is needed for your immune system to function properly and for your body to heal effectively. However, too much zinc can be toxic for your body, and many people do not realize that zinc is a common ingredient in many denture adhesives. Zinc oxide was added to the formulas for many denture adhesives in order to improve adhesion.

Overusing the denture adhesive or ingesting the adhesive can cause your body to take in more zinc than is needed for proper function. Two neurological issues that arise from a large quantity of zinc in the body are:

• Numbness
• Problems with balance and walking

• Bone Loss

Bone loss involves the decay of bones that formally support your natural teeth. Unfortunately, this tends to be a normal phenomenon for anyone who wears dentures.

If your dentures are loose-fitting or ill-fitting, this can cause an acceleration of bone resorption. The uneven pressure that is put on the bones can wear away the areas that tend to be under greater pressure when chewing. This bone loss can then cause less bone to support your dentures, which can affect your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Exactly Are Denture Adhesives?

Denture adhesives hold your dentures in place throughout the day. By holding your dentures securely in place, you are able to feel more at ease and comfortable when wearing them.

2. When Is The Best Time To Start Using Denture Adhesives?

You can begin using denture adhesives once your dentist is satisfied with the fit of your dentures. Using the adhesives will help to keep them in place effectively.

3. Why Should You Use Denture Adhesives?

Denture adhesives are meant to hold your dentures in place throughout the day. Some other benefits of using denture adhesives include:

• Protecting your gums from irritation
• Sealing out food particles so they do not get stuck between your gums and dentures
• Prevent soreness when eating foods

4. How Are Denture Adhesives Removed?

Denture adhesives can be removed from your mouth and gums by brushing the roof of your mouth and your gums using a soft brush and warm water. For more specific instructions on removing specific denture adhesives, it is best to refer to the packaging or try the steps we have mentioned above.

5. Is It Okay To Use Denture Adhesives Regularly?

Yes. As long as you use the denture adhesives as instructed by the packaging, you can use them regularly. However, it is best to consult with your dentist if your dentures no longer fit or are too loose.

Conclusion

If you have problems removing your denture adhesive thoroughly, try any one of our methods above. No matter what you do, never try to remove your denture adhesive with any sharp objects that may damage your gums.

Also, always be gentle with your gums and try not to apply too much pressure. If you need further advice, always consult your dentist who can give you personalized advice for your situation.