The regular use by denture wearers of an appropriate denture adhesive is not associated with any increased incidence in mucosal irritation. The use of such an adhesive can, in fact, reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of tissue irritation and, at the same time, provide the denture wearer with specific benefits--both physical and psychological. The use by 111 denture wearers of a natural gum or a synthetic polymer adhesive for six months was not accompanied by any increase in mucosal irritation of denture bearing tissues. Mucosal irritation present in certain of the subjects at the start of the study was eliminated in almost all cases with the continuing use of the assigned adhesive during the six-month observation period.