An improved anhydrous denture adhesive is prepared to contain a mixture of a cationic polymeric material and a synthetic anionic gum material as the adhesive ingredient. The mixture may be formulated as a powder or anhydrous paste, which, when applied to dentures and exposed to moisture, develops superior adhesive properties. Suitable cationic materials include at least one Olower alkyl-trimethylammonium chloride-substituted-anhydroglucose polymer. As the anionic component there may be used at least one synthetic gum which is a copolymer of maleic acid with vinyllower alkyl-esters.