Protecting Health from Toxic Dental Amalgam
"Amalgam", which has been used in dental treatments for many years, should not be used anymore and there is a campaign called "Mercury Free Dentistry Campaign" which emphasizes the damage of mercury for patients and dental treatment. The harms of the highlighted amalgam on the ToxicTeeth.org website are rather scary (I have published it on Turkish websites in advance).
What Are the Contents of Amalgam Fillings?
Amalgam fillings are composed of approximately 50% elemental mercury, which is combined with other metals to form a stable compound. Mercury makes the material flexible and allows it to settle quickly into cavities. It can be easily placed in a cavity with pressure. However, mercury is a known neurotoxin, and exposure, especially in high amounts, can affect various body systems.
The Hidden Side Effects of Amalgam Fillings: What You Need to Know
Dental amalgam has been widely used for over 150 years as a reliable and durable material for dental restorations. Often referred to as “silver fillings,” amalgam is a mixture of metals containing mercury, silver, tin, and copper. It is a mineral that is easy to shape and can be easily placed in the tooth for many dentists. It is very useful for filling cavities and filling missing volume in decayed teeth. While it has proven effective in withstanding the pressures of chewing, increasing concerns about the health risks associated with mercury exposure have led to global debate. The potential side effects of its content for practicing dentists and patients have been the subject of increasing debate in recent years.
I would like to summarize the harmful effects of amalgam when used in dental clinics:
- During amalgam administration or removal, amalgam powders mixed in inhaled air or water become more toxic "methylciva (methylmercury)". The presence of this mercury form in the external environment can cause neurological damage and brain damage, especially in children and unborn babies. “Elemental mercury and methylmercury are toxic to the central and peripheral nervous systems.” – WHO, 2005 (Mercury).
- Amalgam produces mercury vapor even after implantation into the body. This mercury can pass through the placenta and accumulate in the fetus in the womb. In addition, it can cause serious problems in people with impaired renal function. The FDA stresses that the use of amalgam may be risky due to the potential harmful effects of children and babies on developing neurological systems.
- For the placement of amalgam, a significant amount of healthy tooth tissue should be eliminated. This may create problems for future dental treatment; general tooth structure may weaken.
- In the dentists and dental clinics, blood mercury levels due to exposure to mercury dust were found to be high. In particular, female employees of childbearing age are recommended protective clothing or air masks to minimize mercury exposure. In the surveys, many dentists and workers working in dental clinics are not aware of mercury exposure and health risks associated with them.
- Most of the patients who are placed in amalgam fillers are unaware of the details and the consent. In a survey, 76% of the patients stated that they knew that amalgam contained mercury.
- Amalgam filler is used more frequently in low-income individuals since it is cheaper than other mercury-free filling materials.
- Exposure to mercury vapor: Amalgam fillings continuously release low levels of mercury vapor, which can be inhaled and absorbed through the lungs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mercury vapor is a “significant source of mercury exposure” for people with multiple amalgam fillings. This is especially important for dentists who routinely handle this filling material and for patients who have multiple amalgam dental fillings in their mouths.
Amalgam can be replaced with countless other fillers (resin composite, compomers and glass ionomer ...).
Amalgam can be replaced with countless other fillers (resin composite, compomers and glass ionomer ...).
- Neurological symptoms associated with amalgam toxicity:
Several studies have linked mercury exposure to the following symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Irritation
- Tremors
In a study published in the journal Neurotoxicology, researchers found that dentists exposed to mercury experienced measurable cognitive impairments compared to unexposed individuals (Echeverria et al., 1995 - Neurotoxicity - Review of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Draft IRIS Assessment of Tetrachloroethylene - NCBI Bookshelf).
- Associated with amalgam toxicity: kidney dysfunction: The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recognizes that long-term mercury exposure can damage kidney tissue. Children and individuals with kidney disease are particularly vulnerable (MERCURY -TOXGUIDE™).
- Associated with amalgam toxicity: allergic reactions and oral symptoms: Although rare, some individuals experience allergic reactions to amalgam components. Symptoms may include:
- Mouth sores
- Lichen planus (a chronic inflammatory condition)
- Burning sensation in the mouth
Amalgam-Related Environmental Pollution
Beyond personal health, mercury in amalgam contributes to environmental pollution. Amalgam, which is frequently used in dental clinics, also contributes to environmental pollution when it is mixed into clinical wastewater. Dental clinics are among the largest sources of mercury in wastewater. In 2017, the Minamata Convention on Mercury called for a global reduction in mercury use, including in dentistry (4_INF26_DentalAmalgamWHO.English.pdf).
When dental filling procedure, you need to pay attention ...
To date, there is no cancer associated with mercury. Mercury Chloride has been shown to cause an increase in various tumors (especially kidney tumors) in rats and mice. It is emphasized that environmental exposure of inorganic mercury and methyl mercury is likely to cause cancer in humans. In other words, methylciva can be caused by contact with water or air of dental amalgam powders. Website details: http://www.epa.gov/iris/There is a cmaping on the https://www.change.org for using of mercury dental fillings in children >> Ban mercury dental fillings in children like the European Union did!
European Union adopted a regulation banning amalgam use for children under age 15, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers at the 1 July 2018. You can read detials at >> Today the EU ban on amalgam use in children begins!
Mercury-free dentistry campaign is very important especially in children, pregnant women. Because of the side effects on neurological development, not only patients; There is also a risk for dentists using amalgam filling. I haven't followed this campaign for a few years, but the result is gratifying. In some countries amalgam use is prohibited.
Source link >> Studies Evaluate Health Effects of Dental Amalgam Fillings in Children / Do Fillings Cause Mercury Poisoning? / Side effects of mercury in dental amalgam
How much mercury vapor is taken when tooth brushing, eating food, gnashing teeth, chewing gum ...?
Below is a very interesting and beautiful video where mercury vapor emitted from malgam fills is measured. As the friction increases and hot contact increases the amount of mercury release is increasing ...
Video source >> Nick Yiannios DDS PLLC
How much mercury is released from common amalgam fillings?
Video source >> Nick Yiannios DDS PLLC
Health Recommendations for Amalgam
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) updated its guidelines in 2020, recommending that certain groups avoid amalgam fillings, including:
- Pregnant women
- Nursing mothers
- Children under 6 years of age
- People with preexisting neurological or kidney conditions
“The FDA advises against the use of dental amalgam in high-risk groups due to potential mercury exposure.” – FDA, 2020 (health.mo.gov/living/families/oralhealth/pdf/fda-recommendations-on-dental-amalgam.pdf).
Alternatives to Amalgam Fillings
A variety of materials that do not contain amalgam can be used in dentistry to replace dental fillings. These include:
- Composite resins (tooth-colored and aesthetically pleasing)
- Ceramics
- Glass ionomer cements
These options are considered safer, especially for sensitive groups, and do not pose the same environmental concerns.
While amalgam fillings have stood the test of time, emerging scientific evidence and environmental awareness have led to a reevaluation of their use.
Video: Your dental fillings may be adding mercury to your bloodstream
This video, based on the results of a scientific study, shares "a detailed report by researchers at the University of Georgia who found that people with more than eight amalgam fillings had higher levels of mercury in their bloodstreams than those without dental fillings" (Having More Than 8 Fillings Could Increase Mercury Levels in Your Blood : ScienceAlert).
Murat Enoz, MD, Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgeon - ENT Doctor in Istanbul
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