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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Cumulative Poison and Builds Up in
Organs
Mercury released from fillings builds up in the brain,
kidneys, liver, pituitary, adrenals, and other parts of
the body.
- Mercury Amalgam Fillings Effect
Porphyrins
Preliminary results from the first detailed
biochemical analysis 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Proper Removal of Fillings
Produces Eventual Health Improvement
A recent survey in
Sweden showed that of 268 patients who removed amalgam
fillings, 80% showed permanent health improvement. Three-fourths
of those that improved did so within 6 months while one-fourth
of those who improved did not show improvement until
after 6 months. There were no signs of the positive
effects disappearing as might be expected with a placebo
effect.
- 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.
- 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.
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.