Health Product Alert: Denture Cleansers and Denture Creams

Denture Cleansers

Denture Cleansers Causing Allergic Reactions

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received more than 70 reports of adverse events, including at least one death and multiple allergic reactions, after using denture cleansers. The events have occurred after proper and improper use of the products. In some instances the reactions developed soon after use and in others they developed years later.

Denture Creams Linked to Zinc Poisoning

A study published in the journal Neurology found that patients who used excessive amounts of denture creams like Super PoliGrip and Fixodent suffered from zinc poisoning. Excessive ingestion of zinc can result in copper deficiency, nerve damage, and the permanent nerve disorder neuropathy. The nerve damage in one patient led to cognitive problems, urinary incontinence, and rendered her wheelchair-dependent.

What is Causing the Reactions?

Denture Cleansers

Research suggests that the ingredient responsible for the allergic reactions is persulfate, a known allergen. Persulfates are used in most denture cleansers to clean and whiten the dentures.

Severe adverse events seem to occur following gargling and swallowing of the products, which are misuses of the cleansers.

Denture Creams

Several popular denture cream brands, including Fixodent and PoliGrip, contain zinc. Small amounts of zinc are necessary to maintain good health, but excess quantities can result in copper depletion and nerve damage.

The Neurology study linked excessive and chronic use of denture creams to elevated zinc levels and neurological problems.

Symptoms of Denture Cleanser Allergic Reactions

The following symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction to denture cleansers:

Breathing problems
Gum tenderness
Hives
Rash
Irritation
Low blood pressure
Tissue damage

Symptoms of Adverse Events

Denture Cleansers

In addition to allergic reactions, the following adverse events may occur after using denture cleansers:

Hypertension
Difficulty breathing
Seizures
Vomiting
Internal bleeding
Blood in the urine
Low blood pressure
Burns
Damage to the esophagus
Bleaching of tissue

Denture Creams

The following symptoms may indicate zinc poisoning:

Poor balance
Tingling sensation
Pain in the extremities
Weakness
Numbness
Loss of sensation

FDA Action on Denture Cleansers

The FDA has recommended that all denture cleanser manufacturers change their labeling to include warning information about persulfates and to improve usage instructions to reduce misuse. They also recommended that manufacturers consider alternatives to persulfates.

Denture Cream Lawsuits

It has been reported that consumers have begun investigating and filing lawsuits against denture cream manufacturers, including GlaxoSmithKline. The lawsuits are based on the fact that the manufacturers have not listed zinc as an ingredient in their products and did not warn consumers about the serious risk of zinc poisoning. The FDA currently does not require manufacturers to list product ingredients on denture adhesives.

Denture Cleanser News

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