From
NEWSInferno.com:
Fixodent denture adhesive is the subject of several lawsuits that allege
zinc in the product caused some users to develop neuropathy and other neurological problems. Though zinc has always been used in Fixodent denture cream, it was only recently that it was listed as an ingredient on the product’s label.
More than 35 million Americans use denture creams like Fixodent to keep their dentures in place. Yet the risk of denture cream zinc poisoning is virtually unknown. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has not required the manufacturers of these products to warn users of this danger. As a result, many people suffering from neuropathy and other neurological problems are unaware that their symptoms are the result of poisonous zinc denture creams, like Fixodent.
If an individual regularly ingests too much zinc, they might eventually experience
copper depletion. People who suffer from chronic low levels of copper in their blood can develop severe neurological problems, including neuropathy. Urinary, bladder and gastrointestinal dysfunction are also common consequences of zinc poisoning.
Often, people use large amounts of Fixodent and other denture adhesives to keep ill fitting dentures in place. Over time, this can cause them to ingest enough zinc to cause copper depletion. This can lead to symptoms like numbness and tingling in hands and feet, balance and coordination problems, and pain and weakness in the extremities. The nerve damage caused by Fixodent zinc poisoning can lead to neuropathy, a debilitating disorder, when it is most severe.
Many lawsuits have been filed on behalf of the victims of denture cream zinc poisoning. One of the most recent was filed on March 13, 2009 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The plaintiff in the case, a 45-year-old woman, used Fixodent several times a day for many years to keep dentures in place. According to her lawsuit, she now suffers from many of the symptoms of denture cream zinc poisoning. Tests confirmed abnormally high zinc levels and low copper levels in her blood.
While the plaintiff’s zinc and copper levels did return to normal after she stopped using Fixodent, her lawsuit says the neurological damage that resulted is permanent.
It is important for denture wearers to be aware that the denture cream they use could prove toxic. Those with poor fitting dentures should not rely on Fixodent or similar products to remedy the problem. It is far healthier to seek the help of a dental professional to have dentures refitted.