Zinc denture cream sparks lawsuits

Currently there are around 25 lawsuits being filed in 11 States throughout the US, all claiming that zinc levels in denture grip formulations triggered copper loss, resulting in a number of medical conditions including nervous sickness, an AP report said.

One of the lawsuits cites the leading brand on the market, GlaxoSmithKline’s PoliGrip, with one plaintive, Ronald Beaver, claiming that after years of liberal use to secure ill-fitting dentures, it had left him feeling weak and listless, symptoms he never properly recovered from.

Extensive medical tests showed that the low levels of copper in his blood was most likely caused by high levels of zinc, which is known to deplete copper levels.

Copper depletion leads to neurological issues​

Copper is necessary for a number of vital bodily functions and if compromised can lead to fatigue and edema, as well as a loss of feeling in fingers, hands, toes and feet that are related to mild neurological conditions.

As with a number of cases that have since gone to the lawcourts, the doctor in the Beaver case was able to narrow the source of the zinc down to the denture grip.

The rash of denture cream lawsuits extends from an appeal made by lawyers back in March to find other denture cream users who had also suffered ill-effects after repeatedly using such products.

P&G's Fixodent brand​

As a result the number of lawsuits have snowballed with hundreds of consumers involved in the lawsuit action, which also involves Procter & Gamble’s Fixodent brand.

There are an estimated 35 million denture wearers in the US, so the current round of lawsuits could well lead to further claims if more consumers are found to suffer from similar symptoms.