Denture Cream Zinc Poisoning Can Affect Young Adults

Boca Raton, FLTalk of dentures and denture cream often brings to mind images of senior citizens—the people who are most often associated with tooth loss. So, it is natural that when it comes to denture cream poisoning, people would first think about how the problem affects senior citizens. However, the truth is that anyone, even young adults—can be affected by denture cream-related zinc poisoning.

WPTV news, from West Palm Beach Florida, reported on July 31, 2009, about a young mother, only 31 years old, who has filed a lawsuit against Procter & Gamble, alleging she suffered zinc poisoning after using Fixodent denture adhesive cream. However, the report noted that Marianne Chapman's problems are not new. In fact, she says she woke up 11 years ago with no feeling in her hand.

The condition has reportedly had a severe impact on her life. Chapman alleges that she suffers from zinc poisoning and neurological damage. She says she used between three and four tubes of the denture cream in a week, and also says her dentures do not fit properly.

A statement released by Procter & Gamble reads, "All Fixodent products undergo rigorous scientific evaluations and safety testing. We continually monitor the safety of our products once in market. We are not aware of any case where denture cream has been definitively linked to a health effect from zinc."

However, there are other plaintiffs who say they, too, have suffered zinc poisoning and other health problems after using denture adhesive creams, including Super Poligrip and Fixodent.

A study published in the journal Neurology (August, 2008) found that overuse of denture cream can cause zinc poisoning, which can result in neurological problems. Too much zinc in a person's system can result in low levels of copper, causing copper deficiency and neuropathy.

According to a July 12, 2009 article in the Eureka Times-Standard, studies have shown that people who have dentures that do not properly fit and overuse their denture cream to compensate for that are those who show neurological damage. Other potential factors include wearing dentures to bed and long-term use of denture cream.

Because of the high number of people who use denture cream adhesives and the lack of information previously available regarding the risk of zinc poisoning, it is possible that there are many people out there who may have suffered zinc poisoning and not realized that it might be linked to the use of denture cream. Anyone who has used denture cream and noticed numbness, tingling, weakness or imbalance should contact his or her doctor or dentist.