Consumer Alert: Denture Cream Usage
Linked to Zinc Poisoning

Close to 35 million people wear dentures, and many users hold them in place with adhesives or denture creams. But those users should be aware of a new health warning.

Popular denture cream adhesives, including Fixodent® and Super PoliGrip Plus®, have reportedly caused zinc poisoning in some users. That can lead to copper deficiency and serious neurological problems including neuropathy, a disorder of the nerves that usually affects the hands and feet, causing weakness, numbness, tingling and pain.

If you or someone you know uses Poligrip® or Fixodent® and has been suffering from these symptoms, including weakness, numbness and pain in the hands or feet, we recommend you contact the Frank Jenkins Law Office today. Call 1-800-227-9732 or contact us via email. We can determine if you are eligible for compensation and protect your legal rights.

What is Zinc?

Zinc is an essential element for your health. This mineral plays a key role in immune function and wound healing, and it aids normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood and adolescence. Zinc is also required for a proper sense of taste and smell. A daily intake of zinc is required to maintain your physical wellbeing because the body has no way to store this element. We usually get zinc through the foods we eat, such as red meat, sea foods and poultry. Vegetarian sources of zinc include beans, whole grains, dairy products, cereals and nuts.

The Dangers of Zinc in Fixodent® and Super PoliGrip Plus® Denture Creams

The recommended daily allowance for adults for zinc is around 11 milligrams for men and 8 milligrams for women. About 40 milligrams is the maximum recommended dosage. However, some denture wearers have been found with levels of over 330 milligrams of zinc in their system. Excessive zinc can lead to zinc poisoning, a potentially deadly condition.

Why has this happened? Some Fixodent® and Poligrip® creams contain zinc, and denture wearers often apply the creams multiple times throughout the day to secure ill-fitting dentures. In 2008, the American Academy of Neurology published a study that concluded some denture wearers were absorbing excessive levels of zinc through their denture creams.

The result of excess zinc can be a serious neurologic disease. Symptoms associated with zinc toxicity often begin with intestinal distress such as vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea and nausea. Further symptoms include inability to urinate, skin reactions, jaundice, seizures, joint pain, chills, fever, coughing, shortness of breath and a metallic taste in the mouth.

The most severe symptoms result from neuropathy. These include:

• Muscle weakness, cramps, and spasms;
• Loss of balance and coordination;
• Tingling and numbness most often in the legs and arms;
• Pain often described as a sensation of wearing an invisible glove or sock;
• Extreme sensitivity to touch.

If you have any of these symptoms while using a denture cream adhesive such as Fixodent® or Super PoliGrip Plus®, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Zinc poisoning must be caught and treated early in order to have the best chance of a full recovery.

Protecting the Public

Currently, manufacturers are not required by the Food and Drug Administration to list potential health risks associated with their denture cream or to put safety warnings on their product labels. Zinc is not even listed as an ingredient on the Fixodent® packaging. Not only are consumers not aware of the zinc content, but they are not warned of the dangers that high levels of zinc can pose to their health.

Lawsuits are being filed against the manufacturers of these denture creams for their alleged failure to fully disclose the ingredients and for the alleged failure to warn customers about the possible health hazards of zinc toxicity.

We believe the health tragedies suffered by some denture wearers might have been prevented had the manufacturers informed the public of the potential dangers of the product. Our attorneys do not want to see others affected by these severe symptoms, and we will hold these companies accountable for their negligence.

Contact our Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has become ill from the use of denture creams, you need to understand your legal rights. The company responsible for your injuries should be held accountable, and you are entitled to seek financial compensation to help pay for medical expenses and the other costs incurred by your injury.

The Frank Jenkins Law Office will conduct a thorough assessment of your case, and review all available options to build a strategy with your best interests in mind. If you don’t know whether your situation requires a lawsuit or legal action, we can provide an initial consultation for FREE to determine if you have a case. We will meet with you in our office, in the hospital, or at home if necessary.

Your right to justice shouldn’t be compromised because of concerns over payment. We handle most cases on a contingency basis*, which means you pay nothing up front and will only pay an attorney fee when we settle or win your case.

If you have legal questions, contact the Frank Jenkins Law Office today at 1-800-227-9732 or contact us online.

*COURT COSTS AND CASE EXPENSES WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CLIENT

Free Case Review