A Look At Silver Mercury and Why Dentists Have Moved Away From This Toxic Metal In Fillings
Do you or someone you know have an old silver filling? There are many reasons why dentists worldwide have switched from metal amalgam fillings to composite resin fillings. Among those reasons is the toxicity of mercury and the danger it poses to the human body. Your safety and health are top priorities at Palmer Distinctive Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina. When you visit Drs. John Palmer and Debra Adams, your dental health will be considered a component of your overall well-being. As holistic dentists, Dr. Palmer and Dr. Adams believe that only biocompatible materials should be used in dental treatments, which makes mercury a serious non-factor. If you currently have an amalgam filling, Dr. Adams would be happy to remove it and put in place a restoration that would be the best for you and your dental health.. Here are some reasons you should consider having your silver mercury filling removed.
The Hidden Danger
Are you aware that an amalgam filling consists of around 50 percent mercury? There is no safe level of exposure to this highly toxic metal. Yet countless Americans walk around every day with this poison in their mouths. For too many years (over a century), amalgam fillings were the go-to when it came to fillings. Thankfully, in recent years, scientific research has shown that amalgam fillings do expose you to the harmful toxic effects of mercury. The danger is hidden no more, and dentists worldwide have moved from this archaic combination of filling material.
Mercury – What Is It?
Mercury is a naturally occurring chemical element that exists in two primary forms – elemental mercury and methylmercury. When combined with methylmercury, carbon is not visible to the naked eye yet is prevalent throughout our natural environment. Methylmercury is in water, plants, soils, and fish. You can find it in latex paint, fluorescent lights, and batteries in the household. Elemental mercury, however, does not react with other substances and is very visible as a silver metal. It will evaporate into a toxic vapor when exposed to heat and can be found in thermometers, barometers, and (you guessed it) silver amalgam fillings.
Why Is Toxic Mercury Used For Fillings?
Mercury in fillings began back in the 19th century and has always been a bit of a controversial topic. Various harmful effects started to be noticed in those with amalgam fillings, causing concern among dentists who began to provide mercury-free dentistry. For many years, although alternatives were available, many dentists continued to use amalgam fillings because they were affordable and faster to place than gold fillers. This is despite many studies which indicate the harm mercury can cause.
How Does Dental Amalgam Poison The Body?
If you still have a metal amalgam filling in your mouth, a very tiny amount of mercury is released into the body when chewing or drinking hot or cold drinks. If you are a gum chewer, an even higher amount is released. When the temperature of your mouth increases, especially when eating or drinking hot foods, mercury vapors can be released.
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The Danger of Mercury
Now that you know a bit about what mercury is, why it has been used, and what can trigger it to be released into your body, let us look at why it is dangerous. Exposure to mercury has been linked to health issues, including tremors, headaches, insomnia, kidney problems, nerve damage, and respiratory failure. Further studies have shown links between mercury exposure and long-term brain damage. Pregnant women are not only putting themselves at risk but their unborn children as well.
Mercury Removal
If you are in the Greenville, SC area and still have amalgam fillings in your mouth, you should consider removing them as soon as possible. At Palmer Distinctive Dentistry, Dr. Debra Adams performs safe silver-filling removals. There is no better time than now to remove this harmful and toxic metal from your body, so please schedule an appointment with us today by calling (864) 879-6494.
