MERCURY FILLINGS

AKA: Silver fillings and amalgam fillings

We have many patients asking us to remove their silver fillings (aka amalgam fillings, mercury fillings) in replacement for something less toxic. We do believe replacing your silver fillings is more than just an aesthetic issue, it is also a systemic health issue. As a functional dentist, Dr. T believes there is no such thing as a “safe” level of mercury for the body, for it does not belong in the body. As a result, we do not use any form of mercury or metal in our practice. And to help you understand why Dr. Tinoco is going to break down some science for us below:

The form of mercury that is used in dental amalgam fillings is referred to as “ the elemental metallic form”. This form of mercury is liquid or gaseous at room temperature and the vapor atoms have no charge, which makes them able to cross the blood-brain barrier easily (as well we other biological membranes). Whether the mercury is in metal form, liquid, or vapor, there is 80% uptake in the lungs, and moderate uptake in the intestines.

Mercury is known to bind to the energy-producing enzymes of the electron transport chain inside mitochondria. This is an essential part of cellular respiration. ATP is our body’s energy currency. Therefore, mercury is interfering with your body’s ability to produce energy. This process can happen all over the body affecting the muscles and the nervous systems. This is why one of the best-known symptoms of mercury toxicity is fatigue.

Let’s take another moment here about maternal mercury exposure and how it impacts the fetus. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Academy of Science state that between 8 and 10% of American women have mercury levels that would render a child they gave birth to risk for neurological disorders. It is estimated that more than 300,000 newborns each year may have an increased risk of learning disabilities associated with in-utero exposure to mercury. Mercury impairs neurological development and is implicated in autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Mercury dental fillings in the mother’s mouth correlates strongly with the levels of mercury in fetal tissue, cord blood, and breast milk.(Citation: US HHS website, US EPA 2004).

It is also important to note, that any dentist may claim they are Mercury-Free, but in most cases, that only refers to the fact that they no longer place amalgam fillings. When choosing a Mercury-Free office, it’s important to ask your dentist if they are SMART Certified. This means the dentist has taken the extra precautions of eliminating the mercury vapor that is released when removing your silver fillings. You can find a list of SMART Certified Dentists in your area by clicking here.

Click on the article below to learn more about the science behind the dangers of mercury fillings.

Chronic mercury exposure is implicated in the genesis of many diseases, including the ones listed below:

(Please see the Position Statement released by The International Academy Of Oral Medicine and Toxicity for the complete list of references).

• Allergies, especially allergy to mercury

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

• Antibiotic resistance

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Parkinson’s disease

• Periodontal disease

• Reproductive Health