Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was identified to possess good mucoadhesive properties ensuring its application to extend the retention times of the formulations at the oral cavity, intended route of administration using the polymer. In the noncross-linked state, PAA will swell and become eroded owing to the presence of salivary flow from the site of application. The formation of cross-links between the polymer chains will allow swelling but prevents the erosion of the dosage form. In the current study, cross-linking was achieved by esterification of the PAA chains with sucrose. The density of crosslinking was modified by changing sucrose concentration and the duration of cure time. The cross-linking density of the polymer hydrogel was assessed by equilibrium swelling studies. The mucoadhesion testing method allowed a comparative study of the hydrogels prepared. An inverse relationship between equilibrium swelling and peak detachment force showed that increased PAA chain density per unit area enhanced the mucoadhesive interaction.