The present invention relates to a denture adhesive composition comprising mixed
salts of an alkyl vinyl ether-maleic acid or anhydride copolymer and/or terpolymer
with isobutylene wherein the mixed salt contains a cationic salt function comprising
at least about 1% strontium cations, from about 1% to about 40% of zinc cations,
from 0% to about 2.5% of a cation selected from the group consisting of iron, boron,
aluminum, vanadium, chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, yttrium, titanium, and
mixtures thereof; from about 36% to about 60% free acid component; and from 0%
to about 65% of a cation selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium,
and mixtures thereof. In addition, the present invention relates to denture adhesive
compositions comprising the above composition and at least one non-adhesive self-supporting
layer. The present invention further relates to a method of increasing the adhesion
of dentures to the oral cavity by applying the above compositions to dentures,
directly to the oral cavity, palate or ridge of the oral cavity, or applying it
to both, and thereafter securing the dentures to the ridge or palate of the oral cavity.