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Study cites danger of zinc poisoning from denture creams

-Times Standard

07/12/2009 - If you use denture cream, you might want to sit down while you read this. Remember the old saying, “What you don't know won't hurt you?” That's not the case with some denture creams.

Glaxo Smith Kline, the maker of PoliGrip and Super PoliGrip, and Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Fixodent, are being sued because their products contain zinc, a potentially harmful element when taken in high doses.

Doctors say too much zinc drives down copper levels in the body, affects the spinal cord and makes it hard for people to walk. In a 2008 study published by the Journal of Neurology, the authors said long-term denture cream overuse caused zinc poisoning in four patients, which resulted in neurological problems for all of them.

Zinc-containing denture creams are the center of a growing controversy that suggests their use does cause copper deficiency, neurological problems, and a nerve disorder called neuropathy.

What really concerns me is how many of the estimated 35 million denture wearers in this country know about this serious side affect of using these denture creams? Not many, I warrant, because companies are not required to list ingredients or potential health risks on their labels. Unbelievable, but true.

The Federal Food & Drug Administration (FDA) considers these denture creams a Class I medical device. That means, as far as the FDA is concerned, the products are fine. Things may not be fine for your health, if you use these products.

Thus far, studies indicate that people who use too much denture cream because of ill-fitting dentures are the ones showing neurological damage. Other factors come into play, too. Some people wear their dentures to bed. This gives the zinc in the denture cream a greater chance to be ingested. Another factor is how many years a person uses the cream. The longer the use, the greater the chance of absorbing unwanted amounts of zinc into the body.

Zinc is not a bad thing in itself. Our bodies require a certain amount. Doctors say a recommended daily allowance of zinc, 8 micrograms (mg) for women, and 11 mg for men, is a good thing. According to The National Academy of Sciences, the largest daily tolerable zinc intake is 40 mg.

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern reported finding ingestion as high as 330 mg of zinc daily among their denture cream test population. It's clear that levels this high are dangerous. Dr. Bhushan, who was involved in the study, described this as “literally zinc poisoning.”

It seems inconceivable that even toothpaste has a poison control number, but denture cream does not. The plaintiffs filing against these companies hope to force them to list their ingredients and add a warning label.

So what are your options if you use one of these products? First, be careful how much you use. Studies that have shown ill effects all indicate the denture cream users applied too much. The current labeling does say to use “a small amount.”

If you want to play it safe, make sure your dentures fit. Dentists suggest a yearly checkup to assure a good fit. If you can afford it, dental implants are the best, but they are expensive. Other alternatives include adhesive pads (Sea Bond), gels, and powders.

There are also denture creams that don't contain zinc. For example, a company called Bioforce USA (www.securedenture.com) offers a zinc-free denture cream called “Secure Dental Adhesive.” You can also go to the Web and search under “zinc free” denture creams.

In court papers obtained by ABC News, the companies have denied their products are at fault. That's understandable. Neither one wants to lose a profitable product, and we can be sure the 17 court cases (at last count) against them will drag slowly through the justice system. It's not unreasonable to predict more lawsuits on the way.

Because the FDA has failed to protect consumers from these products thus far, we must do it ourselves. If you're a longtime user of one of these disputed denture creams, you might want to see your doctor and have your zinc and copper levels tested, especially if you have some of the symptoms mentioned here.

This whole zinc in denture creams controversy lingered in the shadows for nearly a decade, yet I wonder how many consumers are aware of it? Are you?

As It Stands, the very least these companies should do is list their ingredients and give consumers a chance to decide for themselves if they want to risk zinc poisoning!

If you or someone you know has suffered from symptoms of a demyelinating disease and use denture cream, you should ask you doctor to test the zinc and copper levels in your blood. This may rule out denture cream neuropathy before you begin any treatment. If you have been diagnosed with zinc poisoning you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the denture cream zinc poisoning attorneys of Ennis & Ennis, P.A. today for a free nationwide case evaluation by filling out the online form on this page or calling toll free: 1-800- 856-6405.