Is it Safe to Remove Mercury Fillings?
Over the years, amalgam fillings have raised a concern about the safety of mercury ingredients. Mercury is a neurotoxin, and it’s said to release small amounts of toxic vapor in the body when eating, drinking, brushing, and so forth. The use of mercury fillings over a long period can cause significant exposure to toxic vapors. It can lead to chronic mercury poisoning.
What are Mercury Fillings?
Mercury amalgam fillings are silver amalgam or silver fillings due to their silver appearance. Amalgam fillings contain mercury (50%) and other metals like silver, copper, tin, and zinc. Mercury contains unique properties that help bind these metals together to create a strong and durable restoration called amalgam. Amalgam fillings are effective for filling spaces left by tooth cavities and decay.
Amalgam fillings are widely used, mainly due to their relatively low prices. Amalgam fillings were initially the only option to repair tooth cavities and decay. Fortunately, nowadays, there are safer and more aesthetically appealing filling materials like composite resin, porcelain, gold, and glass ionomer.
What are the Dangers of Mercury Fillings?
Despite the concern about mercury toxicity, mercury amalgam fillings are very common and still used to fill cavities. According to research, over 100 million Americans have a mercury filling.
Research suggests that amalgam fillings release about 20 milligrams of mercury every time you eat or brush. The exposure is even higher if you have bruxism and when you eat or drink food items at higher temperatures like coffee, tea, and soup. The longer the filling is in your mouth, the more exposure to mercury toxins.
While very effective for treating cavities, mercury amalgam fillings can adversely affect your oral and overall well-being. For instance, mercury exposure is a common contributing cause of mercury poisoning. Side effects of mercury poisoning include:
- Kidney problems
- Nerve damage
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Respiratory failure
- Heavy metal poisoning symptoms like lack of concentration, irritability, muscle pain, tremors, and anxiety
- Long-term brain damage and memory loss
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Autoimmunity
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Miscarriages
- Multiple sclerosis
- Motor skill dysfunction
Your best option is to remove the amalgam filling as soon as possible to eliminate the risk of these health problems. Fortunately, you can remove your amalgam filling and replace it with a non-toxic alternative.
What are the Benefits of Removing Mercury Fillings?
Below are key benefits of removing mercury fillings and choosing mercury-free dentistry include:
- It’s safer for you and your dentist.
As we’ve seen above, mercury amalgam fillings expose you and your dentist to serious mercury toxins. Removing the amalgam filling will eliminate the risk of mercury poisoning. A mercury-free mouth and dental office will help create a healthy and safer environment for you and your dentist.
- Better for pregnant women
Mercury poisoning can cause serious pregnancy complications like miscarriages, stillbirths, and perinatal death. It’s safe to avoid mercury fillings to protect the health of you and your baby.
- There are healthier options.
Removing mercury fillings allows you to use a safer filling material like porcelain and composite resin. Contact our dentist for mercury-safe dentistry in Sacramento, CA.
- Improves your smile
Perhaps another benefit of removing silver amalgam is the unsightly metallic color. Silver amalgam can give you a less natural and unattractive smile. With mercury-free options like porcelain or composite resin, you can fill cavities without affecting your beautiful smile.
- Better for the environment
After working with mercury fillings, mercury ingredients can find their way to water systems, contaminating rivers and other water sources. Similarly, mercury can evaporate and pollute the air. Removing mercury fillings from your mouth and dental settings is a step closer to a healthier environment.
Final Verdict
If you’re considering removing your mercury amalgam fillings, you can begin by scheduling an appointment with our holistic dentistry in Citrus Heights. Our dentist will safely remove the filling and help you through your next journey for a mercury-free restoration. Contact Sacramento Natural Dentistry to speak with our dentist in Citrus Heights for more information about mercury fillings and mercury-free restorations.