Living in the fake news era, the internet has irreparably become a chamber of rumors – especially for health matters – and you may struggle to separate fact from fiction. You have probably heard a few things about zinc in denture adhesive or the risks of getting too much zinc and you’re probably wondering whether it’s safe or not. The good news is that the amount of zinc in your denture adhesive is very low, so there is no need to worry. But just to put your mind at ease, we’re here to dispel the myths and give you the low-down on zinc in denture adhesive, what it does, and whether there are any risks.
What Is Zinc, and Why Do Denture Adhesives Contain It?
Zinc is a mineral that you can find in protein-rich foods, such as shellfish, beef, nuts, chicken, along with a few dietary supplements. It’s essential for your health: it helps keep your skin and bones in good condition, amongst numerous other health benefits. Although zinc plays an integral part in a healthy diet, it also enhances adhesion in denture adhesives.
Potential Risks of Overdosing on Zinc
Just like with anything, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. The risk of taking in too much zinc can lead to
- nerve damage
- numbness
- tingling sensations.
Excessive and prolonged zinc intake can cause some side effects, but we’re talking very large doses – not the kind you’re going to get from daily denture adhesive use when following the directions.
Advice to Denture Wearers
Denture adhesive contains a low quantity of zinc and is unlikely to cause you any harm. Just use denture adhesive as instructed to stay safe while keeping those dentures fixed in place. It’s a win-win. Here are our tips for denture wearers to avoid getting too much zinc:
- Always follow the product instructions.
- Don’t use more denture adhesive than recommended.
- If you notice any zinc overdose symptoms, like numbness, stop using the product and talk to your doctor.
- Track the amount of adhesive you use.
To give you an idea of how much denture adhesive to use, a 2.4-ounce tube for a person with a full set of dentures should last seven to eight weeks.
Is Fixodent Zinc Free?
Mostly, no, Fixodent uses zinc to help keep your dentures in place. The daily amount of zinc absorbed from Fixodent is approximately 2 mg, when used once per day as instructed. It’s less than the zinc you would find in most multivitamin supplements and the same as 170g of beef mince. The recommended dietary allowance of zinc is 8 mg and 11 mg per day for women and men, respectively. So even though Fixodent is not a zinc free denture adhesive, it’s safe.
However, if you’re still concerned about zinc, you can try Fixodent Plus True Feel, which is our zinc free adhesive.
There is no need to worry about the side effects due to zinc in your denture adhesive. As long as you follow the instructions and only use what you need, it’s perfectly safe to use denture adhesive. So make your life easier with Fixodent, whether you’re a partial or a full denture wearer, and enjoy all those juicy bites that life has to offer.
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