Knowledge is power, and the world has gained so much valuable information throughout the years from research, experience, and technology that we did not have before — and there is still much to learn! We now understand that countless standard procedures, materials, and practices from the past pose health risks that were unknown at the time. In dentistry, this includes silver fillings containing mercury for cavities. Here is an insight into the health risks of silver, or amalgam fillings.
All silver-colored fillings are dental amalgam fillings, andĀ each of these fillings is approximately 50% mercury. Although a number of other countries have banned or limited their use, dental mercury amalgams are still being used in many regions of the world, including in the USA.
Mercury isĀ continuously emitted from dental amalgam fillings, and it is absorbed and retained in the body, particularly in the brain, kidney, liver, lung, and gastrointestinal tract.Ā The output of mercury can be intensified by the number of fillings and other activities, such as chewing, teeth-grinding, and the consumption of hot liquids.Ā Mercury is also known to be released during the placement, replacement, and removal of dental mercury amalgam fillings.
Dental Amalgam Danger: Human Health Risks Linked to Mercury Fillings
Dental mercury and itsĀ vaporĀ have been scientifically linked to a number of health risks which demonstrate the danger of dental amalgam mercury fillings.Ā Ā Individual response to mercury varies, and some of the factors known to potentially impact those exposed to mercury include their allergies, diet, gender, genetic predispositions to adverse reactions from mercury, the number of amalgam fillings in the mouth, and concurrent or previous exposures to other toxic chemicals such as lead (Pb).Ā Scientific studies have identified dental mercury as a potentially causational or exacerbating factor in the conditions included on this table:
| Allergies, especially to mercury | Alzheimer’s disease | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) |
| Antibiotic resistance | Autism spectrum disorders | Autoimmune disorders/immunodeficiency |
| Cardiovascular problems | Chronic fatigue syndrome | Complaints of unclear causation |
| Hearing loss | Kidney disease | Micromercurialism |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Oral lichenoid reaction and oral lichen planus | Parkinson’s disease |
| Periodontal disease | Psychological issues such as depression and anxiety | Reproductive dysfunction |
| Suicidal ideations | Symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning | Thyroditis |
Pregnant women and children are known to be susceptible populations to the danger of mercury from amalgam fillings, and researchers have also demonstrated danger to dentists and dental personnel who routinely work with dental amalgam mercury fillings.
In September 2020,Ā the FDA advised that the following groups avoid getting dental amalgam whenever possible and appropriate: pregnant women and their developing fetuses; women who are planning to become pregnant; nursing women and their newborns and infants; children, especially those younger than six years of age; people with pre-existing neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimerās disease or Parkinsonās disease; people with impaired kidney function; and people with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.
Steps to Reduce Dental Amalgam Danger
Whereas āmercury-freeā dentists no longer place amalgam fillings and useĀ available alternatives, āmercury-safeā dentists apply special techniques to remove existing amalgam fillings.Ā In fact, the IAOMT has developedĀ rigorous recommendations for removing existing dental mercury amalgam fillingsĀ to assist in mitigating the potential danger of mercury exposure to patients, dental professionals, dental students, office staff, and others.
Balanced Dental is passionate about the connection between oral health and whole-body health. Our clinic provides the safest method of removing amalgam fillings through our Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (S.M.A.R.T). One of several areas of practice we offer in our friendly, professional, state-of-the-art clinic — we provide personalized, compassionate, and complete dental care. Call our office today at 772.247.2407 or join our Facebook communityĀ here.
Reference: [https://iaomt.org/resources/dental-mercury-facts/amalgam-fillings-danger-human-health/]
