Otstott & Jamison, P.C.

George Otstott, prior denture cream over-user, spits out teeth

"As a prior user of denture cream products, I often applied more cream to my dentures than was recommended. I suspect that you may have too on some occasions. I also quite frequently applied the cream more times in one day than is necessary or recommended, particularly when I wanted some added confidence that my dentures wouldn’t suddenly fall out of my mouth while I was talking. This actually happened to me, and I have seen it happen to others. I often worried about when was the last time I put the cream on and went into a bathroom and reapplied the cream before the recommended interval between uses had expired.

This misapplication and overuse can cause the zinc in the denture cream to be introduced into your system too often and with more concentration than is recommended resulting in zinc poisoning. Fortunately, I never got zinc poisoning, but we here at the law offices of Otstott & Jamison are currently investigating possible incidences of zinc poisoning in denture cream users who may have had too much zinc introduced into their systems. Only a blood test can confirm zinc poisoning. I would like to discuss your possible case with you, so please call me at 1-800-882-1402.”

Denture Cream Lawsuits

Fixodent, Poligrip, Super Poligrip, and other denture adhesives

FIXODENT, manufactured by Proctor and Gamble, POLIGRIP and SUPER POLIGRIP, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, and other denture cream products contain high amounts of zinc may be causing high zinc level absorption in the body of the users. High zinc concentrations can lead to zinc poisoning and other serious neurological injuries. These conditions are probably caused by the users applying too much denture cream at one time. Increased levels of zinc may also cause reduced copper levels in the blood, known as hypocupremia, which may lead to neuropathy and affect the nerves.

Lawsuits filed in the U.S.

Several denture cream adhesive lawsuits have been filed in the United States against the manufacturers of these denture cream products for failing to warn about the potential risk of zinc poisoning. The lawsuits were filed following the release of research that linked the overuse of denture creams to neurological problems.

Research shows chronic excessive use can cause zinc poisoning

Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, published a finding in 2008 in their paper, Neurology, that said,

"Denture cream contains zinc, and chronic excessive use may result in
hypocuremia and serious neurologic disease."

Researchers also found a risk of hyperzincemia. Hyperzincemia is zinc toxicity while hypocupremia refers to abnormally low levels of copper in a person's blood.

Symptoms of zinc toxicity

Zinc poisoning may cause the following symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Incontinence
• Lethargy
• Paralysis
• Numbness
• Loss of Sensation
• Tingling in the Hands or Feet
• Muscle Weakness
• Unexplained Pain

Otstott & Jamison investigating claims of zinc poisoning

Our law firm is currently investigating potential lawsuits for our clients that have been injured as a result of the failure to warn. These lawsuits will be brought against the manufacturers of these denture adhesive products for failure to warn of the dangers of high concentrations of zinc and the accompanying potential for bad side effects of zinc poisoning.

Medical Testing Protocol for Zinc Poisoning

If you suspect zinc poisoning due to the potentially toxic effects of denture cream use, it is essential that you have your blood and urine tested for zinc within as soon as possible after you stop using the product. The following medical tests may be used by your doctor to determine if you have been exposed to excessive amounts of zinc:

• A serum Zinc blood test
• A serum Copper blood test
• A urine test for Zinc
• A urine test for Copper
• A blood test for ceruloplasmin

In order to receive monetary damages for your injuries due to zinc exposure in denture cream, these medical tests must be performed and their results must indicate the presence of excessively high quantities of zinc in the blood of the consumer. If you fail to get the medical tests in a timely manner you may significantly reduce the likelihood of recovering any compensation, even if injuries exist.

35 Million users placed at risk

Approximately 35 million Americans use denture creams or adhesives to keep their dentures in place. Most of these people are the elderly. High levels of zinc that are present in these denture products can be absorbed into the body through the mouth and gums, potentially causing any or some of the following conditions:

• Zinc Poisoning
• Hyperzincemia
• Hypocupremia
• Myelopathy
• Anemia
• Bone Marrow Failure
• Central Nervous System Deficits
• Neuropathy

High levels of zinc

According to a 2001 report by the National Academy of Sciences, 40 mg/day is the highest amount of zinc that can be safely tolerated, but the recommended daily allowance is only 11 mg/day for men and 8 mg/day for women.

Researchers have found that denture adhesive creams like Super Poligrip and Fixodent contain zinc concentrations between 17,000 and 34,000 micrograms per gram. It has been estimated that users of these products may be exposed to about 330 mg of zinc per day, far higher than the recommended amount or what has been determined to be safe.

Only a blood test can determine the level of zinc and copper in the body. Zinc overdose conditions must be checked and treated as quickly as possible to prevent and reduce the risk of permanent and debilitating injury.

Our law firm is currently investigating zinc poisoning case that could have been caused exposure to excessive zinc in denture adhesive creams. Call us today for an immediate, free consultation at 1-800-882-1402, or email us at gotstott@otstottandjamison.com. You can also submit any questions you may want us to answer by going to the “Contact Us” page in this website.

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