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Denture Cream Zinc Poisoning
San Francisco, Bay Area, and Los Angeles, California
Millions of people have used Fixodent, PoliGrip, or Super PoliGrip as a denture cream. Sometimes dentures are not fitted well and the wearer must use extra adhesive to avoid any discomfort. One of the ingredients in these denture creams is zinc, which can cause zinc toxicity or poisoning when ingested. Zinc poisoning can lead to irreversible neurologic damage.
The experienced pharmaceutical litigation attorneys at San Francisco’s Evans Law Firm are currently accepting claims from those who have suffered zinc poisoning from denture cream products.
Zinc is used in denture cream to minimize the odor, a common complaint of wearers, as well as to help dentures adhere to gums. The gastrointestinal tract absorbs chemicals and metals very easily, and medical professionals are very concerned about the ingestion of zinc by denture wearers. Long term denture wearers are more likely to suffer long-term and serious neurologic problems due to excess zinc in the body.
Denture Cream Risk Revealed in Study
In 2008, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center published the results of a study linking denture cream and zinc poisoning in Neurology. They found that many denture wearers were suffering from symptoms that are typical of zinc poisoning and copper depletion.
The study was conducted in 2006, but was blocked by a medical research doctor who, according to ABC News, was on the payroll of Proctor & Gamble, the manufacturer of Fixodent. During the two years between the study and its publication, many denture wearers suffered zinc poisoning due to the ethics of this lone researcher and the corporation paying them.
Symptoms of Zinc Poisoning
- Numbness
- Tingling in hands and feet
- Lack of balance and coordination
- Loss of ability to move arms and legs
- Weakness in extremities
- Unexplained pain
- Burning sensation
Neurological damage, known as neuropathy, is a very real risk for the 35 million Americans who wear dentures. Most of these denture wearers are elderly. If zinc poisoning is not detected and treated early, the neuropathy can be permanent.
The Food and Drug Administration still does not require disclosure of potential zinc poisoning from denture cream, though the recent findings have linked the product and the illness. However, in May 2010, Proctor & Gamble, the maker of Fixodent added a warning label to their denture cream products due to negative media exposure. GlaxoSmithKline, the maker of PoliGrip had previously added a warning to their denture cream products. Both companies insist their denture creams are safe when used as directed.
If you or a loved one has become ill with zinc poisoning from denture cream, please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Evans Law Firm in San Francisco, California today for a free and confidential consultation. We also take cases from around the state of California, including Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
Contact us for a free and confidential consultation at 888-503-8267 or 415-441-8669 or info@evanslaw.com
CONTACT
MAILING ADDRESS
INGRID M. EVANSTHE EVANS LAW FIRM
3053 Filmore Street
Suite 236
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 888-503-8267
Fax: 888-891-4906
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