Mercury Dental Filling Toxicity
An often overlooked, but extremely important source of toxic material is the
mercury from silver [mercury] amalgam fillings. Some people who are aware of
the situation are confused by the mixture of information available. Unfortunately,
statements from dental trade organizations and on a few poorly-researched news
reports have muddled the situation.
Here are a few facts about
mercury amalgam fillings:
1.
Causes Damage to
Brain in Children
In February, 1998, a group of the world's top mercury researchers announced that
mercury from amalgam fillings can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and
immune system of children.
2.
Amalgam Fillings
Linked to Neurological Problems, Gastrointestinal Problems
The first large-scale epidemiological study of
mercury and adverse reactions was recently completed and showed that of the
symptoms looked at, there was a link seen to gastrointestinal problems, sleep
disturbances, concentration problems, memory disturbances, lack of initiative,
restlessness, bleeding gums and other mouth disorders.
3. Mercury / Alzheimer's Disease Connection Found
A study
related to mercury and Alzheimer's Disease was recently completed by a team of
scientists led by well-respected researcher Dr. Boyd Haley. They exposed rats
to levels of mercury vapor diluted to account for size differences between
humans and rats. The rats developed tissue damage "indistinguishable"
from that of Alzheimer's Disease. Repeating the experiment showed the same
results. Dr. Haley is quoted as saying "I'm getting the rest of my
fillings taken out right now, and I've asked my wife to have hers replaced
too." Also see: http://www.holistic-dentistry.com/artalzeimer.asp
4.
Amalgam Fillings
Since 1970s Unstable
The type of mercury fillings that began to be used during the last couple of
decades, non-gamma-2 (high copper), releases
many times more mercury than the older style of amalgam
fillings. Also, please see the article on the instability of
dental amalgam fillings by Ulf Bengsston.
5.
Amalgam Fillings
Release Highly Toxic Elemental Mercury
Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known. The mercury release from
fillings is absorbed primarily as highly toxic elemental mercury vapor.
6.
Amalgam Fillings
Largest Source of Mercury By Far
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.
7.
Gold Crowns,
Gum, Bruxism, Computer Monitors Increase Release of Mercury Significantly
Gum
chewing, grinding of
teeth/bruxism, computer
terminal exposure, presence
of gold fillings or gold crowns (even if covering mercury fillings), teeth
brushing, braces, and chewing cause
the release of significantly increased amounts of mercury from the fillings. Also,
please see the following short review
related to increases in mercury exposure from dissimilar metals in the mouth,
exposure to magnetic fields, chewing, etc.
8.
Cumulative
Poison and Builds Up in Organs
Mercury released from fillings builds up in the
brain, pituitary, adrenals, and other parts of the body.
9.
Mercury Amalgam
Fillings Effect Porphyrins
Preliminary results from the first detailed biochemical
analysis (scroll half-way down) of patients who removed
mercury amalgam fillings showed a significant drop in the excretion of
porphyrins (important to heme synthesis -- heme carries oxygen to red blood
cells), as well as a number of other key biochemical changes. Also, see the Video of the
preliminary results from the study.
10. Potential Contribuatory Factor in Other Diseases
Mercury from amalgam fillings has been implicated as a possible contribuatory factor in
some cases of Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, IBS, reproductive
disorders, allergies, and a variety of other illnesses.
11. Mercury Build Up in Brain, Organs and Breast Milk of
Fetuses of Mothers With Amalgam Fillings
Mercury from fillings in pregnant women has been shown to cause mercury
accumulation in brain, kidneys and liver of human
fetuses (all of the areas tested). Studies have shown that mercury can be
passed to infants from breast
milk.
12. Proper Removal of Fillings Produces Eventual Health
Improvement
A recent
study published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine
related to the proper removal of mercury amalgam fillings from 118 subjects
showed an elimination or reduction or 80% of the classic mercury poisoning
symptoms. In many cases, it took 6 to 12 months after mercury amalgam removal
for the symptoms to disappear.
13. World-reknowned Experts Agree About Potential Danger
In contrast to statements from dental trade organizations, toxicologists and
medical researchers are often quite concerned about the use
of mercury. Lars Friberg, the lead toxicologist on the World Health
Organization team looking at inorganic mercury and health effects recently
stated that he believes that mercury is unsuitable for dental materials because
of safety concerns.
14. Canadian Class Action Lawsuit
Canadians are in the process of beginning a major class action lawsuit based
on the fact that the government knew of but did not warn the public about
mercury dangers from amalgam fillings. Legal actions related to mercury
exposure from mercury amalgam fillings and vaccines are beginning in the United
States. For more information and a directory of Mercury-free dentists, please
see the TalkInternation.com web
site.
Obviously, not everyone experiences acute toxicity effects from the mercury in
amalgam fillings. However, virtually everyone does have mercury build up in
their bodies from implantation of such fillings. The large increase in mercury
exposure from the newer non-gamma-2 mercury fillings means that only time will
tell how much damage has been caused by daily exposure to mercury to such
fillings.
I do not recommend that people assume automatically that they will be healed by
the removal of amalgam fillings. Many people are helped tremendously and some
are healed. The 80% figure for people showing improvement within a year likely
refers to people who had good reason to suspect that they were being
significantly effected by the fillings. The percentage of people in the general
population who might experience health improvement within one year after
removal is probably much lower than 80%. I recommend going into the mercury
amalgam removal procedure knowing that, at the very least, you will have
removed yourself from a regular exposure to an extremely toxic material such that
it will not build up in your organs and possibly cause significant health
problems at a later date.
Mercury amalgam fillings should be removed only by dentists with experience using the IOAMT mercury amalgam
removal protocol (presented with the permission of the
excellent Preventive Dental
Association web page). Such dentists are often
experienced with proper evaluation and placement of composite fillings, both of
which can be crucial for the success of the treatment. Biocompatability tests
are often important in determining which composite materials can be safely
used. I believe that composite (plastic) fillings are a better replacement than
metal (e.g., gold) fillings even in chemically-sensitive individuals. They are,
however, not without safety questions, but are still likely to be much less
toxic than mercury amalgam fillings. Proper placement of composites should be left
to experienced amalgam removal dentists as the average well-meaning dentist may
not be aware of the newer placement techniques.
Further scientific information can be found at, and Bo Walhjalt's Mercury Articles Web
Page. More information about removal, detoxification, and
placement of composite fillings can be found at Bioprobe, Inc. and
at the Preventive Dental
Association. Information about finding a dentist
practicing non-toxic dentistry can be found on the Resources For Related
to Non-Toxic Dentistry web page. Also, the AMALGAM mailing list can be
a good source of accurate, up-to-date information.
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