Can Denture Creams Cause Excess Zinc Intake?
Saturday, September 24th, 2011Teeth are something that younger people often take for granted. As teeth age and wear, they usually get more attention. If a tooth decays sufficiently its removal may be necessary. Usually a dentist will create a bridge between adjacent teeth to fill the hole left by the one that was removed. If enough teeth are removed, this no longer becomes feasible. Dentures must be bonded directly to the gums.
Fixodent, Poligrip and other denture creams are popular substances for securing false teeth in place, but they may not be as safe as was previously thought. Any substance that sits in the mouth for an extended period of time will eventually be absorbed through the gums and lining of the mouth. However, only foods and other substances intended for use in human consumption must be labeled as such and list ingredients. This means that substances such as denture cream are not required to list what they contain, yet what they contain will almost certainly find its way into the body.
Fixodent and Poligrip both contain zinc, in high enough amounts to cause adverse effects on the body. While zinc is an essential trace element, it is certainly possible to have too much of a good thing. Zinc, copper and iron are related in terms of absorption. Excess zinc means a diminished ability to absorb copper, and copper is necessary for the absorption of iron. This means that excess zinc, even if it did not otherwise affect the body adversely would always result in anemia and other signs of iron deficiency.
But zinc does affect the body adversely, in addition to whatever troubles are caused by copper and iron deficiency. Zinc is critical for proper brain function, and adequate levels of zinc are necessary for synapses. Excess zinc causes damage to brain and nerve tissue. In several individuals who have taken Fixodent or Poligrip, the result has been permanent loss of coordination or use of extremities, to the point of being wheelchair-bound in some cases. These situations definitely call for litigation against these companies.
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