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According to reports, an estimated 35 million people in the United States wear dentures.

Of these millions, most of them also have to use denture cream.

However, what most people do not know is there are risks involved with using denture cream and the chemicals this substance contains.

Individuals who have dentures can get denture adhesive cream over-the-counter.

Before putting the dentures in the mouth, the cream is applied to it in order to keep them in place.

Large amounts of denture cream are used to keep in place for some wearing dentures, particularly those with poor fitting dentures. This may cause them to ingest the denture cream, which could cause health problems that are severe.

Zinc Toxicity Caused by Denture Cream

Most denture creams contain zinc and even though a small amount of zinc is healthy in a balanced diet, too much zinc can be toxic and can lead to zinc poisoning if ingested in large amounts. The ingestion of too much zinc could cause the reduction of another important metal in the body.  Because of this, a serious neurological issue could occur.

Zinc Poisoning Symptoms Caused by Denture Cream

If someone experiences zinc toxicity caused by denture creams such as Poligrip and Fixodent, they could experience a variety of symptoms.

Some signs that people may experience due to denture cream are:

Numbness
Weakness
Unable to balance
No coordination
Tingling in the hands and feet

There have also been many reports of people experiencing paralysis and loss of sensation and muscle weakness in their arms and legs.

You may want to file Pharmaceutical Drug Claims if you or someone you know have experienced any of these symptoms and use denture cream please contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney about the options available to you.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Glaxo to remove zinc from denture cream (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Fixodent Announces “Circle of Confidence” Initiative (dentalheroes.com)
• Edward F. Blizzard: Admitting Guilt on Deadly Denture Cream (huffingtonpost.com)

Same day dentures are a fantastic benefit to denture wearers. If your dentures get broken or you waited too long to get your new pair created, it’s a huge benefit that you don’t have to wait a few weeks or months to get your dentures.

Same day dentures are dentures that are created the day you go into the dental office. Same day dentures can be created while you wait because that dental office has an on-site lab. Traditional dentures typically go back and forth between your dentist and the lab that created them for weeks, if not months, before they are completed. Same day dentures are created in the lab that day, typically while you wait.

However, same day dentures can be costly. It’s a benefit, not a requirement, and you can pay dearly for this benefit. The great thing is, many dental offices that offer same day dentures can get you your dentures in just 3 – 5 days for significantly less than same day dentures.

Good dental offices will often tell you about this deal if you ask for it. Many offices offer same day dentures but suggest that patients wait 3 – 5 days because it’s more beneficial for the patients. It’s easier for the dental offices if they’re given a few days and it’s better for you because you don’t have to pay as much. If you’re willing to wait a few days for your dentures, talk to your dentist. Same day dentures are talked about a lot, but be sure to ask your dentist about all the alternatives. If they have their own on-site lab, you can get your dentures made in just a few days at a significantly lower price than the same day dentures you called about initially.

For a lower cost alternative, ask your dentist if he can lower the price of your dentures if you’re willing to wait a few days. If they’re not willing to do it, expand your search and contact a few other offices asking them if there is anything you can do to get your dentures quickly at a lower price than same day dentures.

Chlorhexidine is a powerful chemical formula that is prescribed as a mouthwash mostly after dental surgery in the United States. This mouthwash may also be prescribed for various other situations.

Most often you will also receive a warning not to use it for more than two or a few weeks. This is because Chlorhexidine can stain your teeth.

Things are little different in Europe than in the United States. Some things are sold over-the-counter there that you cannot get without a prescription in the United States.

I was in a drug store in Germany and found some Chlorhexidine. I was initially excited because it claimed to be an "anti-staining’ formula. Since I was travelling and did not have access to the tools I normally use for my daily oral care, I thought I’d give this ‘anti-staining’ formula a try.

Forget it! Within a week I could see that it was beginning to stain my teeth. I promptly stopped using it.

Dental health is a problem for almost every human being alive. There is a small percentage of the population that appears to be immune to gum disease, but most of us have to fight against it at one point or another.

In fact, as I recall, I found a stat on the Mayo Clinic’s website stating that 95% of people over age 65 have some form of gum disease. If true, the implications are staggering! Just think about it.

The problem is that this is not a disease that happens as a result of aging as many people think. You can be six years old and have the disease. What is important is that people become more aware of it.

Even your dentist will tell you that your dental health is largely up to what you do at home! They can only see you a couple to a few times a year at most. That does mean that the bulk of the work in caring for your dental health falls on you personally. This is one of those things that we pretty much have to do for ourselves!

Learn what you can do to help stop the progression of gum disease based on what you do at home. Prevent this serious problem from causing you to lose teeth.

Author David S.

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.
 

Dentures are a great solution for people who have lost some, or all, of their teeth to periodontal disease, tooth decay, or injury.

Another reason you may be looking for dentures is because your old set broke or were lost.

I’ve heard so many stories of people who have had a child or grandchild get a hold of their dentures, which have then “magically” disappeared.

Usually, the hardest part of getting dentures is the long wait between when you lose your teeth and when you get your new dentures.

If you are working, this time delay can cause problems for you.

A lot of denture-wearers feel embarrassed being seen by friends or family without teeth.

It’s not just the missing teeth affecting your appearance, without your teeth your facial muscles can sag and you just don’t look like yourself.

With same day dentures, you don’t need to worry about going weeks or months without your dentures.

The on-site lab creates your same day dentures in the same fashion typical dentures are created.

Most dentists send the impressions to an off-site lab and then wait until that lab creates your dentures. It can take weeks or sometimes even months to get proper fitting dentures because if a change is needed it has to be shipped back to the lab and then back to the dentist.

If you have a pair of dentures that fit fine, the time it takes to get a new pair of dentures isn’t an issue.

But usually, you’re not looking to get a new set of dentures when your old pair fits just fine.

Permanent same day dentures give you the ability to continue on with your daily life, and you don’t need to worry about the discomfort of temporary dentures.

Usually, a same day dentures dentist will have you come in for an early morning appointment to take impressions.

Once the impressions are created, the laboratory starts work on your dentures right away.

By the end of the day, you will have a pair of permanent same day dentures.

Image via Wikipedia

If you’ve lost your teeth to dental disease or injury, complete or partial dentures can help replace them.

You don’t have to go through embarrassing situations such as smiling with pursed lips or covering your mouth while you speak because you’ve lost some or all of your teeth.

Replacing your missing teeth with dentures restores oral health and function as well as significantly improving overall appearance.

Notice how the contour of the face changes when a person has a lot of missing teeth?  The facial muscles sag because there’s no support from the teeth and supporting bone that would normally be there.  In addition, they often have difficulty speaking and eating without the support of teeth.

Dentures comes in two types: Fixed and removable.  And within the discussion of this article, we’ll address the removable types.

Removable dentures are categorized as either full or partial.

A partial denture typically replaces one or two teeth, while a full denture replaces all the teeth in one dental arch – upper or lower.  Both types can be made to replace teeth immediately after extraction or long after healing is complete.

In the case of full dentures, a couple of additional terms can be used: conventional full denture and immediate complete denture.

A conventional full denture is intended to replace the missing teeth after all remaining teeth have been removed and the tissues have healed.

Whereas, immediate dentures are fitted and inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. With immediate dentures, you don’t have to be toothless during the healing period. And, the immediate denture also acts as a protective bandage that allows the gums to heal faster as it helps prepare them for continuous denture wear.

Immediate dentures are normally relined or even remade completely after tissue healing is complete.

An impression of the dental arch is taken, and the new denture or the reline is made to identically match the contours of the person’s jaw.

This makes for a perfect fit and a highly functional dental appliance that looks and acts almost like the real thing.

Dentures need special attention and same goes with your oral health.

According to the American Dental Association, the following are some of the basic oral care procedures to ensure your dentures are in perfect condition and your gums are in the pink of health.

• Make sure that you brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning before you insert your dentures.  This increases blood circulation in the gums as it reduces plaque and bacteria concentrations.

• Dentures are delicate and fragile. Avoid dropping them on hard surfaces when you’re not wearing them.

• Clean your dentures regularly. This will reduce permanent stains and plaque. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, ultrasonic cleaner or other non-abrasive method to clean your dentures.

• Some denture wearers use mild hand soap or dish-washing liquid to clean their dentures. These are acceptable alternatives to regular denture cleaning agents. Avoid using powdered cleansers and bleach as these are too abrasive on dentures.

• Do not allow acrylic dentures to dry out when they’re not worn.  They may lose their shape as a result.  Soak them in a dental cleanser solution or water instead.

Regular dental check-ups are also important. Your dentist needs to examine your dentures to see if they fit properly and if the dentures need to be relined, rebased or replaced due to normal wear.  All your oral soft tissues should be checked, as well.

Ill-fitting and loose dentures trigger mouth infections and painful sores.

So,  the minute you feel discomfort in your dentures, visit your dentist immediately.

For more information about dentures and partials, read our other articles on prosthodontics.