The Effects of Denture Adhesive

Some denture creams contain zinc. Documented scientific reports show that excessive use of zinc over a period of years can causes zinc poisoning and neurological defects. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified dental cream manufacturers in February 2011, recommending that they remove zinc from their denture creams and modify their product labeling to indicate the dosage of the product consumers can use safely.

Zinc Poisoning

• Excessive use of denture cream can cause zinc poisoning; symptoms include vomiting, low blood pressure, burning sensations, chills and yellow discoloration of the skin and the white of the eyes. Other possible symptoms include chills, body pain, cough, and fever, shortness of breath, low or lack of urinary output, a rash, metallic taste, watery or bloody diarrhea leading to shock, convulsions and collapse. Seek immediate medical care and advice if you experience some of these symptoms.

Copper Depletion

• High zinc levels in the body can cause copper depletion, potentially leading to hypocupremia and neurological abnormalities. An abstract published 2008 in Neurology, by Dr. S.P. Nations, et. al., reports a study about four patients, one with various neurological abnormalities due to hypocupremia. All four patients had worn dentures and used large amounts of denture cream long term. The study marked the zinc concentration in the denture creams used by the patients as a possible source of excessive zinc ingestion. The results indicated that denture cream contains zinc, and chronic excessive use may cause hypocupremia and serious neurological abnormalities.

Peripheral Neuropathy

• Consistent excess levels of zinc in the body can lead to peripheral neuropathy due to nerve damages. Peripheral neuropathy affects the sensory nerves related to feelings of touch, pain, heat and cold, the motor nerves that control your muscles and your involuntary actions such as breathing, heart rate and bladder functions. Symptoms include numbness, tingling in the hands and feet, arms and legs, burning pain, sharp stabbing pain, sensitivity to touch, muscle weakness and lack of coordination. Seek immediate medical treatment and advice if you experience any of these symptoms.

Considerations

• If possible, use a denture cream without zinc. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the product label as to the dosage of denture cream to use. Your denture will not fit correctly over years when your mouth changes, such as when the bone recedes under your denture. Contact your dentist for recommendation and referral for proper denture fitting to avoid using denture cream.