Patient education is a huge part of the nurse’s job and usually this involves providing information and instructions regarding new medications, procedures or treatments.
Next time you assess a patient and discover they have dentures, don’t just skim over this. Stop and question them about how well they fit, the type of adhesive they use, how much they use and whether they have experienced any symptoms of neuropathy since using denture adhesive creams. In a recent interview with Eric Chaffin, Esq. of Bernstein Liebhard LLP, I discovered a little known fact about the risks of denture adhesive creams and consumer injuries.
Most denture adhesive creams contain zinc. Overuse of these products is known to cause zinc poisoning. When dentures don’t fit correctly, consumers are likely to try to fix the problem by using more than the standard amount of adhesive. They may have been instructed to do so by dentists who don’t know of the risks associated with overuse of denture creams.
There are currently lawsuits being brought against the makers of denture cream such as Fixodent and Poligrip for not educating health professionals and consumers about this risk.
Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical center in Dallas, linked patients who had symptoms of neuropathy, copper depletion, and zinc toxicity to the use of denture adhesive creams. Those who used the products in large amounts had more acute symptoms.
Symptoms of neuropathy can include a numbness, unexplained pain and/or diminished use or loss of function in the extremities. Poor balance and ataxia can also be related to neuropathy. Lethargy or unexplained fatigue can also be related to zinc poisoning. These symptoms can become permanent, debilitating or even fatal if the cause is not addressed and eliminated.
The body requires small amounts of the mineral zinc to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Zinc containing enzymes help to regulate growth, aid in digestion and promote fertility. It is also needed for nucleic acid synthesis for new cell development such as in the bone marrow, immune cells and in the lining of the intestines. In large amount, zinc becomes toxic and depletes copper and iron from the system.
In educating patients, nurses should alert patients and their families to the risks associated with denture creams.
Many consumers have filed denture cream lawsuits because of the effects of zinc poisoning and the fact that the manufacturers have not alerted the public to this risk. Patients who have been injured by over using denture cream adhesives containing zinc, can consult a denture cream lawyer to consult about their rights.
11 Comments
Patrick Odea
I thought my dentists in champaign il was only joking when he told me about this denture adhesive creams until I was referred to your blog. Thanks for vindicating my dentists.
Ecommerce Developer
If you are wiling to file a denture cream lawsuit then make sure that the disease you are suffering is caused deu to side effects of denture creams only.
Daniel Bryan
It is true. Super glue products are highly toxic and should not be used to DIY repairs on dentures. I would recommend having the dentist supplier fix your dentures.
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Cynthia
Denture creams such as Poligrip and Fixodent have been linked to neurological and other problems. This site has some good information and recourse options: http://www.denturecreamlawyer.com/
Cynthia
Denture Creams such as Super Poligrip and Fixodent are allegedly linked to a number of side effects such as paralysis, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and other neurological problems. This site offers some good information and a recourses for http://www.denturecreamlawyer.com/
Joshua Sophy
The zinc in many of the most popular brands of denture cream, like Poligrip and Fixodent contain excessive levels of zinc. With millions of seniors and denture wearers using these products on a daily basis, they risk serious health side effects.
Excessive levels of zinc can and have caused paralysis, muscle weakness, loss of feeling and other neurological disorders.
Visit this site if you or you know someone that relies on these popular denture creams, or perhaps another brand: http://www.denturecreamlawyer.com/
Cynthia
The new warning about zinc in Super Poligrip is not adequate. The warning states that swallowing small amounts of Super Poligrip is not harmful; however, the warning is misleading and might be doing more harm than good. Ingesting even small amounts of Super Poligrip has been found to be harmful; people who used normal amounts of Super Poligrip, and who swallowed small amounts of the product, suffered from zinc poisoning and neurological problems. Here is a site that is very informative and offers some help: http://poligrip-lawsuit.com/about-us.html
Cynthia
Denture creams, like Poligrip and Fixodent have been associated with a variety of neurologic health problems and several lawsuits have been filed by people who claim to have been sickened by these products. It is expected that many more will be filed in the coming months. There is some good information on the health and legal implications involved with this issue at: http://www.denturecreamlawyer.com/
Joshua Sophy
People poisoned by the zinc in their denture cream have a good person on their side in this fight: http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/8490#more-8490
laurie
Interesting overview of this issue here: http://www.neuropathy-zinc-toxicity-dental-cream.com/