All amalgam fillings contain approximately 50 percent mercury, and research consistently shows that these fillings expose dental professionals, dental staff, dental patients and unborn fetuses to mercury vapor, mercury-containing particulate and additional forms of mercury contamination.
(1) Mercury is a highly toxic element, and there’s no known safe level of exposure. Dentists have been using these mercury-laden dental amalgams for over a 100 years as filling material for tooth decay. But does a century-plus history of use make this filling choice safe when it comes to your health? The simple answer is NO!
The American Dental Association states that dental amalgam is considered a safe, affordable and durable material that’s been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. (2) However, it’s a known fact that every time a person with an amalgam filling chews, the mercury within that filling is released into that person’s body. Mercury poisoning is a serious health concern around the world, and amalgam fillings are one of the top contributing causes.
If the Food and Drug Administration admitted the true risk of amalgam fillings, then literally millions of people would have to figure out whether or not they want to remove the fillings and, if yes, how to pay for the removal. The FDA’s ruling in 2009 reclassifying mercury and amalgam as both having greater risk (class II), but not outlawing them all together, is not that surprising because it would pose a major inconvenience for so many. But let me know tell you why removable just might be very much worth it and why you should opt for alternative fillings for the sake of your overall health.
Recent History of Amalgam Fillings
In 2009, the FDA reviewed scientific evidence presented in regard to the serious health hazards caused by having mercury-based fillings sitting in the mouths of millions of Americans. What the FDA learned then made it make a serious change.
On July 28, 2009, the FDA issued a final rule that reclassified mercury from a class I (least risk) device to class II (more risk) device and also classified dental amalgam as a class II device. Additionally, it designated a special controls guidance document for dental amalgam. (3)
In this guidance document, it even admit that “dental amalgam also releases low levels of mercury vapor, a chemical that at high exposure levels is well-documented to cause neurological and renal adverse health effects. Mercury vapor concentrations are highest immediately after placement and removal of dental amalgam but decline thereafter.”
So the FDA admits that the negative health side effects are specific and also well-documented, but it still wants to continue to use mercury in fillings even though there are better alternatives? It’s hard to believe, but that’s exactly what’s going on.
Clearly the FDA is admitting amalgam fillings are more dangerous than originally believed, but this is still not enough protection for the American public.
Amalgam 101:
What’s in Your Mouth?
Do you have amalgam fillings? Chances are if you’ve ever had a cavity filled, it’s been filled with amalgam, which is the No. 1 filling choice for dentists across the country. Amalgam is composed of liquid mercury (about 50 percent by weight) and powdered alloy metals silver, tin and copper.