Zinc is a mineral which the body requires in small amounts to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. It is essential for sustaining life. The body uses zinc containing enzymes to regulate growth, promote fertility, and to aid in digestion.
Zinc is also needed for nucleic acid synthesis. This means that the body requires zinc in the tissues where new cell development takes place such as the bone marrow, immune cells and the lining of the gut or intestinal tract.
Zinc Poisoning and Neuropathy
When consumed in large amounts, zinc can cause issues such as zinc poisoning, the depletion of the minerals copper and iron, and/or result in neuropathy. Using large amounts of denture adhesive cream can result in the consumption of too much zinc.
Symptoms of neuropathy include:
- numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, fingers and/or toes
- unexplained pain in these extremities
- a diminished or loss of ability to move the arms, hands, legs and/or feet
- poor balance
- unsteady gait or stride (ataxia)
Lethargy or fatigue is also a common symptom of zinc poisoning. When not diagnosed and treated early, the effects of zinc toxicity can be permanent and debilitating, or even fatal.
Denture Cream Linked to Zinc Toxicity
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas were able to link patients with symptoms of neuropathy, copper depletion, and zinc toxicity to their use of denture adhesive cream. The problem was acute for those who used large amounts of the adhesive for poorly fitting dentures.
Denture adhesive creams such as Fixodent, Poligrip and Super Poligrip contain zinc. Other brand and no-name varieties may also contain zinc, even if it is not identified on the package. One tube of the product is typically expected to last from 3 to 10 weeks. Patients in the study were found to be using at least two tubes a week. Results of this study were published in the August 2008 issue of Neurology.
Thirty five million Americans wear dentures. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) classifies denture cream as a Class I medical device and does not require the manufacturers to add ingredients or warnings on the labels of their products.
Denture cream adhesive lawsuits including Fixodent lawsuits and Poligrip lawsuits are being pursued by consumer advocates against these manufacturers for not warning the public about zinc toxicity. Without proper labeling and warning, this segment of the population is unaware of the potential toxicity posed by these products.
Seek Medical Care
Dentures are an expensive investment. In today’s poor economic climate, the likelihood of a “fix it yourself” approach to ill-fitting dentures is poised to present more possible cases of toxic overdoses. Patients with ill-fitting dentures should seek the advice of their dentist and not use large amounts of these adhesive creams.
Anyone using these products and experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms or other unexplained pain, weakness, or difficulty walking should seek immediate medical attention.
Resources:
Eric Chaffin, Esq., Bernstein Liebhard LLP
(Bio information: http://www.bernlieb.com/attorneys/Eric-T-Chaffin/index.html)
S.P. Nations, MD, et al. “Denture Cream An Unusual Source of Excess Zinc, Leading to Hypocupremia and Neurologic Disease.” Neurology (2008) 71:639-643
Michael F. Neerman, PhD; Kathleen Kiefhaber, BSN, RN; Richard D. Barrera, MD. “Neuropathy Following Chronic Use of Denture Adhesive in a 40-Year Old Patient.” Lab Med (2007) 38(10): 608-609.
Kathy Quan - Kathy Quan RN BSN has been a home health/hospice nurse for over 30 years. She has authored five books and writes for several online ...
