The Dangers of Mercury in Tooth Fillings

by Carla Yamashiro, DDS, NMD, IBDM • July 31, 2019

Dental amalgam is a combination of metals, which has been used as the most common filling material for over 150 years. Dental amalgam is composed of up to 50% mercury, along with silver, tin, copper and zinc. Over decades of dental amalgam usage, there have been growing concerns about the effects of mercury.

In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration assessed the available research. While the FDA concluded that amalgam fillings are safe for adults and children ages 6 and above, other particularly newer studies show that the concerns about mercury are well founded and alternatives should be considered whenever possible.

Why is mercury used in amalgam when it can be dangerous?
Mercury helps make the filling material pliable. When it’s blended with alloy powder, it makes a chemical that is soft enough to mix and press into a tooth. It also hardens fast and is durable. Amalgam is less expensive than some alternatives and holds up well over time from pressure and chewing forces.

The reason why mercury is concerning, however is because it may affect the nervous system and other body systems, leading to potential symptoms that can include: nervousness, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, memory problems, depression and physical tremors to name a few.1

What should we do about the toxicity of mercury fillings?
One concern is that mercury can attack any organ of the body. An estimated 80% of the mercury vapor from amalgam fillings is absorbed by the lungs and passed to the rest of the body.2 The “half-life” of metallic mercury varies depending on the organ and the state of oxidation. Mercury deposited in the brain can have a “half-life” of up to several decades.3

Toxic effects of mercury exposure vary by individual.4 An array of co-factors influence this personalized reaction to dental mercury including the presence of other health conditions, the number of amalgam fillings in the mouth, genetic predisposition, exposure to other metals, consumption of fish, and more. In some cases, it can take years for symptoms of mercury poisoning to manifest.5

You Won’t Know if You are Mercury Toxic Until You Test
In the past, the sensitivity of the analytical equipment was not advanced enough to measure blood levels of ambient blood mercury. As a result, new tests were developed to test for the presence of Mercury.6

Remove Mercury Fillings Safely
Based on current research, IAOMT7 has developed suggested recommendations for eliminating amalgam fillings to help in reducing the possible negative consequences of mercury exposure in patients, dental professionals, office staff and others.

IAOMT’s recommendations are known as the Safe Mercury Removal of Mercury Technique. Polishing, placement, removal, or other disturbance of a dental mercury amalgam filling shouldn’t be conducted with patients that are pregnant or breast feeding and shouldn’t be done by dental personnel that are pregnant or lactating.

Detoxing Mercury
There are a few ways to go about doing a mercury detox, depending on your level of exposure. If you have mercury poisoning with a high level of mercury in your blood, your doctor may recommend treatment options for detoxification of mercury and other heavy metals.

Dr. Hal Huggins, said to be one of the fathers of holistic dentistry, stated “You can’t clean up the body if the faucet is leaking.” In other words, if it is determined that the source of your mercury exposure is from mercury amalgam restorations, detoxing may not be fully beneficial until the source is addressed as well.

Although there are home remedies options, it is highly recommended you seek help from a medical professional.

Carla Yamashiro practices holistic dentistry at Ecologic Dentistry, the natural choice. Ecologic Dentistry is located at 8412 Myers Rd. E., Ste 301 in Bonney Lake, WA. New patients welcome, current patients loved. To reserve your appointment, please call 253.863.7005. To learn more visit ecologicdentistry.com.

References
1. http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/ opinions_layman/en/dental-amalgam/l-3/4-healtheffects-amalgams.htm
2. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/ drugs-health-products/reports-publications/medicaldevices/safety-dental-amalgam-health-canada-1996.html#a4)
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24368178
4. https://iaomt.org/resources/dental-mercury-facts/ dental-mercury-amalgam-side-effects/
5. https://iaomt.org/resources/dental-mercury-facts/ amalgam-fillings-danger-human-health/
6. https://dentalwellness4u.com/mercurydetox/ testformercury.html
7. https://iaomt.org

Disclaimer: That this article is for general informational purposes only. Please consult your medical professional with any questions about your specific situation or concerns.

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