Mercury Poisoning Symptoms
Most people are aware that metal dental fillings contain mercury. The mercury in fillings is an amalgam, or blend, of silver, copper and mercury that has been in use for over 150 years. A debate, known as the Mercury Controversy, has raged in the dental community and beyond regarding the safety of this mercury content. Canada, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Germany have already banned or advised against the use of metal fillings, particularly in children and pregnant women.
Health Issues Associated with Metal Fillings
Many patients with metal fillings complain that a variety of health problems plague them—and they attribute their health concerns to the mercury found in their metal fillings. Health complaints include:
· Chronic illnesses
· Autoimmune disorders
· Degenerative brain and nervous system diseases
· Birth defects
· Mouth lesions
· Mental disorders
Research Supports Claims of Metal Fillings’ Impact on Health
Support for claims that mercury can impact overall health comes from a variety of sources, including:
· The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the FDA stated on its website in June 2008: “Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses."
· The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that mercury exposure can increase during tooth grinding, brushing teeth or chewing gum, and quotes a report stating that these activities cause a 5.3 fold increase in mercury.
· A Swedish autopsy-based study measured mercury levels
in brains and kidneys and found that more metal fillings meant a greater mercury content.
· A German study found that mercury urinary excretion was significantly higher in those with mercury amalgam fillings.
· A Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine study showed that removal of mercury amalgam fillings from 118 subjects eliminated or reduced 80 percent of mercury poisoning symptoms.
· Research on monkeys demonstrated that mercury from dental restorations builds up in the brain, kidney, lung and liver.
Metal Fillings can cause Discomfort and Potentially Harm Teeth
Not only do metal fillings present apparent health risks, they can also be harmful to teeth and lead to dental discomfort. Metal contracts and expands with contact to extremes of heat and cold. Repetitive expansion and contraction can ultimately lead to tooth breakage. The expansion and contraction process can also cause teeth to become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages.
Options for Dental Patients
Patients do have a choice. Porcelain/composite fillings do not include mercury and provide a much more pleasing aesthetic outcome. They also do not expand and contract with heat and cold, so teeth are less likely to crack when these substances are used. Increased tooth sensitivity, too, is not an issue with porcelain/composite.
