Poligrip Fixodent Denture Adhesive
Researchers Report Nerve Damage From Zinc Poisoning
If you have been harmed by the use of denture creams, you may have a legal claim. Contact our law firm today at 1-800-659-1159.
If you're one of the 35 million Americans who wear dentures, take note -- your denture cream could be putting your health at risk.
Researchers have recently discovered a link between the zinc in denture adhesives and nerve damage. Several popular denture creams, including Super Poligrip and Fixodent, contain zinc.
If you've used those products and now have tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, poor balance or unexplained weakness, contact your doctor immediately. You should also contact the lawyers of Gordon & Doner today to schedule a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Health experts recommend a small amount of zinc as part of a balanced diet. However, exposure to zinc at levels greater than 10 times the recommended daily allowance can result in zinc poisoning -- a condition that can be deadly if not treated quickly.
Health professionals say some denture wearers are being exposed to excessive and dangerous zinc levels through adhesive creams. The zinc in denture adhesives can be absorbed through the gums or swallowed each time a denture user eats and drinks.
The health risks posed by popular brands of denture creams, especially when used excessively, were documented in the June 2008 online issue of Neurology. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center reported on four patients who had been using two or more tubes of denture adhesive per week for several years. Normally, a tube of denture adhesive can last anywhere from three to 10 weeks. However, users with ill-fitting dentures often use more than the recommended amount to form a secure bond between their dentures and their gums.
The researchers estimated that the patients they examined had been exposed to 330 milligrams or more of zinc daily -- well above the recommended daily allowance of 8 milligrams for women and 11 milligrams for men. The study concluded that excessive use of denture creams containing zinc could result in hypocupremia -- abnormally low levels of copper in the blood -- and serious neurologic disease.
Zinc irritates the intestines, and one of the first signs of zinc poisoning is stomach problems, including vomiting, cramps, diarrhea and nausea. Symptoms of zinc poisoning include:
- Unexplained weakness
- Low blood pressure
- Urine retention
- Seizures
- Fever
- Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
- Poor balance
- Unexplained pain
At least one consumer has already filed a lawsuit over health problems allegedly linked to Super Poligrip, made by GlaxoSmithKline. In the lawsuit, the denture wearer alleged the manufacturer failed to warn him about the dangers posed by excessive zinc. The manufacturer has denied the allegations and asserted its product is safe when used as directed.
The Food and Drug Administration does not require denture cream manufacturers to put safety warnings on their product labels. That means consumers do not realize the dangers that high levels of zinc can pose to their health.
At Gordon & Doner, we believe the manufacturers of denture adhesives with zinc, such as Poligrip and Fixodent, have a duty to warn consumers about the dangers of their product, and they should be held accountable when someone is injured. For more information or to schedule a free case evaluation, contact the denture cream lawyers of Gordon & Doner today at 1-800-659-1159.
