Is There A Silent Killer Hiding In Your Metal Fillings?
The silver fillings in your teeth, which are called dental amalgams, are still widely used by the dental profession in most parts of the world; however, many dentists in the United States have stopped placing them in their patients' teeth. The reason is that the amalgam consists of a mix of metals — 50% Mercury, 35% Silver, 15% Tin & other metals.
Some dentists have come to believe that it is not safe to put so much mercury into the mouth of a person because mercury is a toxic non-radioactive metal. There is now compelling evidence from reputable scientific bodies such as the World Health Organization that mercury is not "locked" safely in the metal bonds in the teeth, but can leak slowly into the body, often causing severe illnesses. These are reckoned to possibly include Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and a whole range of "auto-immune" illnesses. In fact, just by damaging the immune system, amalgam could be contributing to an even broader range of illnesses. Some countries, like Sweden, Canada and Germany, have either banned or imposed serious limitations on amalgam use.
For these reasons, and others, many dentists have switched to using white fillings or dental composites, which have absolutely no mercury, for their patients.
Thousands of Studies Link Mercury in Dental Amalgam to Other Diseases
Research from more than 1,000 peer-reviewed or government studies documents the mechanism by which mercury causes or is a major factor in over 40 chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), Parkinson's/muscle tremor, Alzheimer's, muscular and joint pain/fibromyalgia, Chron's disease, lupus, scleroderma, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), endometriosis, and diabetes.
A "silver filling" is a euphemism for an amalgam restoration, which a dentist places in a patient's tooth after a cavity is created by drilling out decay. Amalgam restorations consist of mercury, silver, tin, copper, and a trace amount of zinc. Researchers have measured a daily release of mercury on the order of 10 micrograms from the amalgam into the body. Mercury is a toxic metal; the minutest amount damages cells.
The mercury challenges systemic functions of every individual and of developing fetuses, so it can lead to health problems and fetal malformations. Mercury leakage and its subsequent pathophysiologic effects are most often slow, insidious processes. Health problems caused by dental mercury poisoning are perceived many years after the amalgams are placed.
Because of studies like these, many dentists have stopped placing dental amalgam into the mouths of their patients, and instead have switched to placing white fillings, also called tooth-colored restorations or dental composites. These new types of fillings are just as strong as dental amalgam, look better, and best of all, do not have any mercury.
Mercury linked to Alzheimer's Disease
While there is no doubt dental amalgam is comprised of 50 percent mercury and other metals, the controversy focuses on whether any mercury actually leaks from the amalgam material. Based on a number of studies in Sweden, the World Health Organization review of inorganic mercury in 1991 determined that mercury absorption is estimated to be approximately four times higher from amalgam fillings than from fish consumption. Recent studies have confirmed this estimate. The amount absorbed can vary considerably from person to person.
If it can be proven that mercury can leak from amalgam, it stands to reason that mercury will cause health damage in many areas of the body, including the brain. Scientists discovered that trace amounts of mercury could cause the type of damage to nerves that is characteristic of the damage found in Alzheimer's disease. The research conducted at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine found that exposure to mercury caused the formation of "neurofibrillar tangles," which are one of the two diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease.
Other neurological and mood disorders linked to mercury in amalgam include: memory disorders, depression, schizophrenia, insomnia, anger, anxiety and mental confusion, neuropathy/paresthesia, tinnitus, and dizziness/vertigo.
To avoid these sorts of problems, many dentists have stopped inserting dental amalgam fillings into their patients. They have found that dental composites, or white fillings, are just as effective in containing cavities and they do not have any mercury.
Most Mercury in Humans Comes from Dental Amalgams
Several studies have shown that mercury in the human body comes from dental amalgam and not other sources of mercury, such as fish. Professor Vasken Aposhian, world-renowned head at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the University of Arizona, conducted a study of humans to determine how much of the mercury in their bodies comes from dental amalgam. He established that on average two-thirds of the mercury in the body comes from amalgam fillings.
Dr David Eggelston of the University of Southern California, an eminent dentist, has conducted post-mortem research that showed that dental mercury accumulated and stayed in the brain for around 40 years. His research again confirmed that mercury is released from amalgam fillings. The US environmental protection safety limits for mercury vapor are 10 Micrograms per day, yet research shows that fillings contribute between 1 and 29 ug/day — 3 times the limit.
Many countries in the world have now officially banned amalgam fillings. Although they are not outlawed in the United States, many U.S. dentists prefer to place white fillings or dental composites, which do not have any mercury.
In accordance with the American Dental Association's official stance, United States dentists cannot officially support the information presented in this report. However, readers should know that certain “health-conscious” dentists do not, and will not, use silver mercury amalgams for your dental care.