Considering the over 49 million Americans with dentures, it is unsurprising that a serious health risk associated with denture adhesives would be cause for alarm. It is only recently, however, that one of the largest manufacturers has taken a major step in acknowledging this known problem. On February 18, the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline announced that it will be removing zinc from its denture creams based on evidence that excessive use of the products has caused health problems in some consumers.

GlaxoSmithKline's popular brands include Poligrip Ultra and Poligrip Total Care. Unfortunately, these products have been linked to neurological damage due to high levels of zinc entering the body. The company states that this was a precautionary decision and that the products are safe when used in normal amounts.

However, it is well established that for many denture wearers, using extra cream is a necessity due to ill-fitting dentures, which can be expensive to replace. Therefore, zinc can enter the body at dangerous levels when swallowed rather than being absorbed by the mouth. Some consumers have been using as much as a tube of denture cream per day, which would provide about 45 times the recommended daily dose of zinc.

This move by GlaxoSmithKline comes only after hundreds of lawsuits in America are awaiting trial, based on allegations of nerve damage and even paralysis. Another company affected by these lawsuits currently is Procter & Gamble, which manufactures Fixodent. Though the company currently states that they have no plans to remove zinc from their products, this new attention given to the problem could lead to closer scrutiny. More lawsuits may therefore be forthcoming.

Meanwhile, consumers should be on the lookout for signs that your denture cream may be causing zinc poisoning. Medical experts recommend that anyone using denture cream and experiencing neurological symptoms such as numbness or difficulty walking should consult with a doctor and consider switching to a zinc-free alternative product.