Denture adhesive creams, which are used by millions of people to hold their dentures in place, have recently been linked to serious neurological problems, including a condition called neuropathy. Neuropathy, usually short for peripheral neuropathy, is a nerve disorder that causes pain and numbness in the hands and feet. Other symptoms of neuropathy may include:

  • tingling in the extremities
  • loss of ability to move legs, feet, arms, or hands
  • poor balance
  • decrease in walking stride

How Dentures Adhesive Creams Cause Neuropathy

Many popular denture adhesive creams, such as Fixodent and Poligrip, contain the mineral zinc. Although a small amount of zinc is necessary for a healthy and balanced diet, zinc can cause copper depletion, hypocupremia, and zinc poisoning, hyperzincemia, when ingested in large amounts. Severe zinc poisoning can lead to neurological problems, such as neuropathy, and even death.

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Dangerous Product Alerts

Because the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) currently does not require denture adhesive cream manufacturers to disclose the potential health risks of denture adhesive cream use, many of the more than 35 million Americans who wear dentures are unaware of the link between denture adhesive creams and neuropathy. Consequently, Fixodent lawsuits and Poligrip lawsuits are emerging that allege that denture adhesive cream manufacturers should be held accountable for failing to warn consumers that their products are toxic.

Denture Cream Lawsuit

According to news sources, the first denture cream lawsuit was filed in 2006 by a Texas man who claimed denture cream poisoned him. The man, who was diagnosed with neuropathy after using Super Poligrip daily for eight years, said his condition was caused by excess zinc contained in the denture cream. 

In 2007, a second man filed a denture cream zinc poisoning lawsuit after he was diagnosed with neuropathy. As a result of his neuropathy, Gerald Elliot of Ellis County, Texas, says he lost nearly all feeling in his feet rendering him practically immobile. Although he says he didn’t believe it at first, months of testing and ruling out other factors showed that Mr. Elliot’s high zinc levels were caused by his Super Poligrip use.

Denture Cream Study Confirms Allegations in Denture Cream Lawsuits

In August 2008, a study published in the journal “Neurology” reported on four patients who suffered neuropathy and other neurological side effects associated with zinc poisoning from denture cream. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, concluded that zinc contained in denture creams could have been responsible for the patients’ symptoms. Notably, while one tube of denture cream should last 3 to 10 weeks, patients in the denture cream study were all using at least two tubes of denture cream a week.

Denture Cream Neuropathy Lawyer

The denture cream lawyers at our firm are currently investigating cases of neuropathy and other neurological problems caused by excess zinc in denture adhesive creams, such as Fixodent and Poligrip. If you or a loved one uses Fixodent, Poligrip, or another brand of denture adhesive cream and suffers from neuropathy or other neurological symptoms, you should contact one of our denture adhesive cream neuropathy attorneys immediately to discuss your legal rights and options.

Depending on your particular circumstances, our denture cream lawyers may be able to help you collect monetary compensation for your dental adhesive cream related injuries, including compensation for:

  • medical bills
  • lost income
  • pain and suffering
  • more

Contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation from a Bernstein Liebhard denture cream lawyer.

Published November 17, 2011 by