In August 2008, the medical journal Neurology published a study that revealed a link between use of denture cream and the development of zinc poisoning. Conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (in Dallas), this research discovered signs of neuropathy and other neurological damage in subjects who were using at least two tubes of denture cream per week.
It’s important to note that usage guidelines indicate that one tube of denture cream should last between three to ten weeks. This means that the patients in this study, like many others who have reported zinc poisoning, are using excessive amounts of denture cream because their dentures don’t fit them well enough.
Roughly 35 million Americans use some type of denture cream. If you’re among the millions of Americans who use denture cream, and have suffered an injury, contact Gacovino, Lake & Associates for legal help. For over 15 years, the personal injury lawyers at Gacovino, Lake & Associates have been aggressively and professionally representing the rights of individuals across the country that have been injured by dangerous medications. Our goal is to help each of our clients recover the maximum compensation they are entitled to.
Brand Names of Injurious Denture Creams
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to issue a national public warning regarding the risks and injuries associated with denture cream. However, brand names of denture creams that contain zinc and, consequently, put patients at risk of sustaining zinc poisoning include:
- Fixodent Complete Denture Adhesive Cream
- Fixodent Denture Adhesive Cream Original
- Super PoliGrip Comfort Seal Denture Adhesive
- Super PoliGrip Denture Adhesive Cream
- Super PoliGrip Denture Adhesive Smooth Cream
Individuals who use any of these denture creams should be aware of the symptoms of zinc poisoning so they know when to seek emergency medical care before major, life-threatening health complications arise.
Symptoms of Zinc Poisoning
Because zinc is an intestinal irritant, the initial indications of zinc poisoning are generally symptoms associated with having an upset stomach, such as:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
Additionally, as it progresses, zinc poisoning may be accompanied by:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Collapse
- Coughing
- Epilepsy
- Fever and chills
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
- Low blood pressure
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Problems urinating
- Shock
- Shortness of breath
Should denture cream users start developing the above symptoms, it’s vital that they drink lots of milk and/or water and seek emergency medical care. Without treatment, the effects of zinc poisoning can result in neuropathy, neurological damage and, in the worst cases, death.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury and you believe it is related to denture cream use, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Gacovino, Lake & Associates today. Serving New York residents and injured victims across the country, Gacovino, Lake & Associates has a proven track record of success in injury and wrongful death cases.
