Frequently Asked Questions about Fixodent® Denture Adhesive

Having issues with Fixodent denture adhesives? We’re here to help. The American College of Prosthodontists answers the most common Fixodent usage questions below.

At the end of the night, I have a very hard time getting my top dentures out after using Fixodent denture adhesive cream . What's the best way to loosen them up without hurting my gums?

Answer: The dentures will eventually come out. You are using too much if the product oozes after inserting the denture. To remove your dentures, swish your mouth with warm water or a mouthwash such as Scope. Warm water will help loosen the seal. To remove the bottom denture: Pull slowly on the denture (do not jerk) while applying a rocking motion. To remove the upper denture (removal may be more difficult because of the larger surface area): Place thumb against the inside front teeth. Press upward and outward toward your nose. If the suggestions above don't work, rinse the mouth again with warm water and try blowing up a balloon or blowing a whistle. Bite into a firm piece of fruit or vegetable, such as an apple or an ear of corn. Avoid using any object except your fingers (not your fingernails) to pry the denture loose to avoid injury. Wait overnight if your airway is not compromised (no difficulty breathing, dentures not blocking airway, etc.), and try again in the morning after a cup of coffee or tea. If you do not have success with these techniques and you are uncomfortable leaving your denture in overnight, you could seek assistance in a hospital emergency room or at a 24-hour dental service.

Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists.

It is hard to get Fixodent off my gums after removing my dentures. How do I clean Fixodent from my gums? Also, is Fixodent harmful to swallow?

Answer: To remove the adhesive from your mouth, rinse your mouth with comfortably warm water or a mouthwash such as Scope. This will help dissolve the Fixodent in your mouth. You will then want to brush your gums, using a circular movement, with a soft-bristled toothbrush and your normal toothpaste. (This removes plaque from your mouth and stimulates circulation.) We don't recommend picking the residue from the mouth tissue because it could cause irritation. You may want to experiment to see what amount of product is best for you. Fixodent is slowly dissolved by saliva, and some of the product may eventually be swallowed. Studies have shown that the adhesives in Fixodent pass, essentially unchanged, through the digestive system as undigested material and are eliminated without any detectable consequences. Apply Fixodent adhesive cream to your dentures in small strips or a series of dots, making sure not to apply it too close to the edges. Press dentures firmly in place and hold briefly. Many denture wearers find one use a day is sufficient. If you are using Fixodent more than twice a day or have problems with your denture hold, consult a dentist about the fit of your dentures.

I am wearing my new bottom denture after having two teeth extracted five days ago. Today was the first day I used an adhesive to keep my denture in place. Unfortunately, it didn't hold for the entire day as I had hoped it would. My gums, in the meantime, are very sore from keeping the lower denture from slipping around. Is there something I can do other than rinsing my mouth out with warm saltwater to help minimize some of the pain and sore spots on my gums?

Answer: Before using denture adhesive, you should wait until the areas where the teeth were removed heal; this usually takes about seven to ten days. It will be more comfortable for you to apply denture adhesive after the gum tissue has grown over the extraction sites. However, a very small amount of denture adhesive may be used on the part of the denture that touches the roof of your mouth if needed immediately after the teeth are removed. To learn how to properly apply denture adhesive, visit the American College of Prosthodontists online at www.prosthodontics.org. Prosthodontists are dentists with three years of additional training in denture care. Ask your pharmacist for an over-the-counter cream containing benzocaine. Carefully follow the directions. However, if the sore spots remain for longer than two or three days, you need to return to your dentist or prosthodontist for an adjustment of the partial. Chronic sore spots will not “heal” on their own. To find a prosthodontist near you, visit www.gotoapro.org.

Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists.

I am two weeks into having upper dentures, and I just bought Fixodent adhesive cream. I applied it according to the directions, and I put them in 30 minutes ago, but the adhesive isn’t holding them well, and I’m not sure if I need to wait a certain period of time after applying to eat. Why isn’t the denture adhesive holding properly?

Answer: You may consider having the upper denture checked to see if it is positioned properly. Sometimes dentures can be made in a position that does not allow the lips to close, resulting in excess saliva. If swallowing is not impaired, you should be able to clear your mouth and the amount of saliva will generally decrease. If this does not happen, you should see your dentist or prosthodontist to correct the problem. You may want to seek the care of a prosthodontist, a dentist with three additional years of training beyond dental school who specializes in the care and maintenance of dentures. To locate a prosthodontist near you, visit www.gotoapro.org.

Response provided by the American College of Prosthodontists.

I have had to throw away too many tubes of Fixodent because they are like concrete when I try and use them the next day. We are talking about five or six brand new only-used-once tubes. Why is my Fixodent hardening in the tube? And what can I do to prevent it?

Answer: I'm sorry you're disappointed with your recent purchase of Fixodent. Generally when hardening occurs, it's due to moisture coming in contact with the cream. Any moisture around the cap area or that gets inside the tube could cause the product to harden over time, making the tube difficult to squeeze. To help prevent this, Fixodent should be stored in a cool, dry place. Keep the nozzle and cap dry to avoid clogging. Don't run it under the faucet to clean the nozzle. Don't sit it on the countertop near moisture with the cap off. It's also important not to get moisture around the cap area or inside the tube. We suggest you apply the Fixodent cream to clean, dry dentures.