How Mercury-containing Dental Amalgam Effects the Body.
Mercury is a heavy metal that is extremely toxic for humans. According Robin Bernhoft M.D. in his 2011 article “Mercury Toxicity and Treatment: A Review of the Literature”, “most human metallic mercury exposure comes from mercury vapor outgassing from amalgam fillings… of which 80% is absorbed according to the World Health Organization”. These amalgam “silver” fillings can contain up to 52% mercury. When absorbed, mercy affects the brain, liver, kidneys, and other areas of the body. Mercury acts as a neurotoxin, and mercury poisoning is linked to a host of neurological issues including anxiety, depression, and memory issues. Advanced mercury poisoning can lead to visual impairment, trouble walking, nerve damage in the face and hands, and hearing or speech difficulties. Mercury can also cross the placental barrier, making it especially dangerous for expectant mothers. This is also why pregnant women are advised to avoid fish, as it contains mercury.
What Can Be Done?
The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) is a worldwide network of dentists and health care professionals who test and research the risks associated with various dental products. Since the organization’s founding in 1984, IAOMT has pledged to review and explore the dangers of dental devices through research, and has been calling for the discontinuation of mercury containing dental amalgam in the practice since 1985.
In September of 2020 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated their list of recommendations about the potentially devastating health risks of mercury containing dental amalgam for those in high-risk groups. These recommendations on the use of dental amalgam warn of the “harmful health effects of [the] mercury vapor released from the device[s]” and provides a detailed list of those who would be considered “high-risk”. This list includes pregnant women, children under the age of six, those with impaired kidney function. In another article on their website, the FDA details the possible symptoms of mercury poisoning through dental amalgam.
While the IAOMT commends the FDA for recognizing the dangers of mercury in dental amalgam, they continue to stand for complete recognition of the dangers that amalgam poses to everyone, not just those who are considered high-risk.
In addition to bringing awareness to the dangers of dental amalgam, the IAOMT has developed techniques for the safe removal of mercury containing dental amalgam. The Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique (S.M.A.R.T.) was developed by the IAOMT to instruct dental professionals on how to safely remove mercury containing dental amalgam from patients’ mouths.
At Ecological Dentistry we are S.M.A.R.T.-certified to ensure that our patients and team stay safe throughout the removal process. Office air is kept up to medical standard using an advanced air filtration system, ensuring that toxins, viruses and mercury vapor are filtered out. During the process we cover our patients face and bodies to
ensure no mercury particulate land on them. A latex-free dam is used inside of the mouth to isolate the affected tooth and keep particulate away from other regions of the mouth. A Clean-Up evacuation device is fit over the tooth. This device captures vapor and keeps particulate away from our patient and dental team. During the procedure we ensure the patient breathes clean, medical grade oxygen to prevent them form inhaling any mercury vapor. Throughout the process we aim to effectively remove harmful mercury and keep you and our team safe.
For more information on the Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique and our process at Ecological Dentistry, visit our page here.
References:
Smart = safe mercury amalgam removal technique. (2020, April 07). Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://thesmartchoice.com/?cn-reloaded=1
The international Academy of Oral medicine and toxicology. (2021, January 07). Retrieved March 19, 2021, from https://iaomt.org/