Health dangers in denture cream products

Dental Loss

As a group, we consumers are trusting souls.

If a product is well known, we generally trust that the manufacturer has taken steps to ensure the product’s safety.

But that’s not realistic. No one should ever assume that a personal product is safe just because it carries a familiar brand name and has been on your grocer’s shelf for years.

Copper connection

Over the years, doctors began to notice an unusual coincidence: Some patients who report problems with balance and walking also happen to wear dentures.

To investigate, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center recruited four denture wearers who had been diagnosed with various neurological abnormalities. In addition, each of the four subjects had used large amounts of denture cream over long periods. Analysis of their denture creams (Fixodent and Poli-Grip) revealed high zinc levels.

Writing in the journal Neurology, the UTS team noted that chronic, excess zinc intake can prompt copper deficiency, which sets the stage for neurologic disease. Tests showed high levels of zinc and low levels of copper in all four subjects.

When denture cream use was discontinued, zinc levels dropped in three subjects. Among these three, two responded with mild neurologic improvement when copper supplements were taken.

This small study, published one year ago, has had an enormous impact, launching lawsuits (currently the FDA doesn’t require denture cream makers to list ingredients) and giving a boost to the small handful of denture adhesive products that contain no zinc.

Many dentists claim that only a small amount of denture cream is needed if dentures fit properly. And one of the UTS researchers told ABC News that denture wearers should seek professional help when dentures don’t fit well. That’s good advice, but many denture wearers don’t have the means to afford a top-of-the-line dentist who can provide dentures that fit snugly and comfortably.

More than 30 million people wear dentures in the U.S.

But you can’t go zincless

In the e-Alert “Aim High” (5/7/03), HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., discussed the zinc/copper interaction, explaining that excess zinc intake can create a copper deficiency, and vice versa. And Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., agrees: “Zinc supplements should usually be offset by a small amount of copper, 1-2 mg daily.” Multivitamins usually contain a dose of copper in this range.

Most people don’t need to worry about excess zinc, which happens to be a very important mineral nutrient. Zinc is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and is one of the key nutrients needed for DNA reproduction and repair. Studies have shown that zinc inhibits abnormal blood clotting that contributes to heart disease, while also supporting healthy vision as we age.

Dietary sources of zinc include oysters, cabbage, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, and dairy products. But even if your diet includes all of these foods, along with a multivitamin with zinc, it’s unlikely that your daily zinc intake will exceed 100 mg – which is probably the safe upper limit. Higher daily doses taken on a consistent basis over a long period may raise prostate cancer and anemia risk, while also putting the heart in jeopardy. And as the UTS study demonstrates, neurological function may be at risk as well.

If you wear dentures, talk to your dentist about your denture adhesive options.

Sources:
“Denture Cream – An Unusual Source of Excess Zinc, Leading to Hypocupremia and Neurologic Disease” Neurology, Published online ahead of print 6/4/09, neurology.org
“Stud Finds a Possible Link Between Denture Cream and Imbalance” Good Morning America, 5/5/09, abcnews.go.com