The appropriate dental materials in our Greenville practice minimizes the risk of unhealthy conditions

A quick search online, or even a consultation with a general dentist, may lead one to believe that the dental materials used today are healthy because they have been approved by the powers that be. According to popular thought, although amalgam dental fillings are 50 percent mercury, a known toxin, the level is low enough to be safe for men, women, and even children (of a certain age). To be clear, mercury is a poisonous substance that our own government has removed from certain products. Why would we continue to believe that it is safe for use in our mouths?

The ongoing conversation regarding the safety of amalgam fillings has been so aggressive that many people are missing the big picture, which is that metal of any kind simply does not belong in the body. At Palmer Distinctive Dentistry, we are careful to choose only dental materials that are free of metal. In this way, we guard the health of our guests from Greenville and surrounding communities.

Can the mouth be a battery?

When we think of the oral cavity, electricity may be the farthest thing from our mind. Throughout the course of dental history metals have regularly been used as restorative materials. Metal, which can be melted down and molded into any shape, recreates tooth structure with incredible strength. Why shouldn’t we use such a material?

Metal is a type of material that is capable of great strength. It is also capable of creating an electrical charge, called a galvanic current. This term is nothing new in the field of dentistry, as the effect of metal in the mouth is well known. What people are less familiar with are the many systemic disease symptoms that can be linked back to dental work.

The galvanic current is usually minimized to the occasional shock when a metal utensil hits a filling or all-metal crown, or a salty-metallic taste in the mouth. This current may also cause:

• Tooth sensitivity as the current travels between dissimilar metals on two teeth, traveling through the teeth to bone and tissue.
• Pain as a direct result of two dissimilar metals touching as teeth come into contact during chewing.
• Pain as a direct result of an amalgam filling touching a gold restoration, joining with saliva to form an electrical cell. This cell sends a current through the pulp of the tooth.

The consequences of metal dental restorations go beyond pain in teeth. Some of the less-talked-about symptoms from galvanism include chronic fatigue, headaches, irritability, memory loss, and sleep deprivation.

Our bodies are made from those substances that promote ongoing health. Introducing foreign materials, even for the sake of restoration, can lead to chronic problems when these materials are not carefully chosen and extensively studied.

Palmer Distinctive Dentistry is a holistic dental practice in which guests’ whole-health is treated. Contact us today to experience the benefits of holistic dental care.

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