Denture Cream Zinc Poisoning Side Effects Lawsuit News

Denture cream, zinc under fire; neurological problems cited

- Louisville Courier Journal

02/05/2010 - Using denture cream might seem like an innocuous thing. But if it contains zinc, you should be mindful of possible health risks, some health-care providers say.

Dr. Sharon Nations, a Texas neurologist, and colleagues have seen neurological problems in people who used large amounts of zinc-containing denture cream, such as two or more tubes a week. And similar cases have spawned lawsuits across the country, according to media reports.

Whether the denture cream is actually to blame is a matter of debate, but one thing some Kentucky dentists agree on is this: “If you're needing that much adhesive to keep your dentures in place, you need to see a dentist to get them refitted or remade,” said Dr. Robert Frazer of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. “Most people with good-fitting dentures don't use adhesive at all. A well-fitting set of dentures don't need (you) to keep them in place with adhesive.”

Also, dentists should be advising their patients to read and follow directions for denture cream use, said Dr. Mike Johnson, an Owensboro dentist who's president of the Kentucky Dental Association.

“The best advice I can give anyone concerning these things … is read the directions on the package when you purchase the product,” Johnson said. “Don't just say, ‘My best friend uses this, and this is what she does.'”

Nations, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, was the lead author of a report that appeared in the journal Neurology in 2008. It detailed the experiences of four patients who used large amounts of Fixodent Original, Super Poligrip Original or Super Poligrip Extra Care with PoliSeal.

Health problems among the patients included limb weakness; abornormal sensations, such as numbness or tingling; incontinence; and poor balance.

Call for more study

Frazer, an associate professor in UK's restorative division, said he'd like to see more study to confirm whether denture cream can lead to such problems. “What we really need is better scientific evidence,” he said.

But Nations said, “We did show that these patients had high levels of zinc, and there wasn't any other source for their zinc that we could find.”

High levels of zinc can lead to copper deficiency, which is known to cause neurologic and hematologic (blood) disease, according to Nations' article. Of the four patients, she said, “I think what caused their neurologic problems was low copper (levels).”

The American Dental Association referred The Courier-Journal to a statement it issued last spring, saying it had no independent facts about the cases in the journal Neurology. “We are not aware of any reports of neurological problems resulting from use of a denture cream following the manufacturer's instructions.”

It also noted, “Patients with loose fitting dentures should see their dentist regularly for examination and appropriate care, which can reduce the need for denture adhesive products.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration did not respond to requests for comment.

What to do

If you're concerned about this issue, Nations recommends getting better-fitting dentures, switching to denture cream without zinc, or using your regular denture cream sparingly.

When using brands that contain zinc, you should only be “applying it once a day in a moderate amount, which would be just a few dots of the adhesive,” Nations said.

“A tube of denture cream should last at least a month or six weeks,” she said. “If you're using it more frequently and you're running out in less than a month, you're probably using too much.”

Nations also cautioned against long-term use of zinc supplements. Some people take them for colds or to try to boost their immune system. But it's important not to consume more than 40 milligrams a day, she said, recalling a patient who became ill after taking 50 to 100 milligrams a day for two years.

Zinc is added to some denture adhesives to improve its bonding ability, said Frazer, a prosthodontist (a dentist who specializes in restoring and replacing teeth). Zinc-free versions are sold but “may not last as long,” he said.

More Denture Cream News>>>

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