mercury in silver fillings

what do you think about dentist offices using silver fillings that have mercury in them?

here are some pros, cons and alternatives.


Opposition

The following are theories based on studies done by mercury toxicity experts and medical researchers on what effects mercury has when released into the body through an amalgam filling. These possible effects are thought to occur several years after exposure to the metal.

• Oral Effects: a metallic taste in the mouth, mouth sores, gingivitis an excess of saliva, and bleeding gums.
• Gastrointestinal Effects: abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and sensitivities to certain foods.
• Cardiovascular Effects: abnormally high or low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, and congestive heart failure
• Neurological Effects: behavioral changes in mood and motor function, tremors, anxiety, depression, memory loss, and headaches.
• Fertility Effects: Infertility, and a presence of mercury in breast milk as well as in the tissue of a maturing fetus.
• Other Possible Effects: Impaired kidney function, a disruption of bacteria normally present in the digestive tract, dermatitis, thyroid complications, chronic fatigue, excessive perspiration, unexplained anemia and allergies.

It is believed that mercury can also increase a patient’s risk of developing: an adrenal disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Hodgkin’s Disease, leukemia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, mononucleosis, scleroderma, as well as affect the body’s immune system.

Support

The following organizations: the American Dental Association, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Dental Research, the United States Public Health Service, the Consumers Union, and other health associations believe amalgam fillings pose no threat. They believe the fillings are:

• Cost Effective.
• A practical and a quick way to fill a cavity
• Amalgam fillings have been around for over a century and have proven to be not only reliable, but safe.
• In the fillings, mercury is mixed with the other metals (silver, copper, and tin) which chemically bind together to form stable compounds, leaving only small amounts of mercury.
• Everyday, people are exposed to more significant sources of mercury through food, water, and air pollution.
• There is no scientific evidence that links mercury to multiple sclerosis, degenerative or neurological diseases.
• It is true that small amounts of mercury vapor can be released from the fillings, but for it to even have the tiniest affect on a person they would have to have almost 500 amalgam fillings.
• The use of amalgam fillings is the most widely practiced way to treat cavities and if they were harmful effects they would be seen worldwide on large amount of the population.

Alternatives to Amalgam Fillings

Even though amalgam fillings has been the primary way dentists fill cavities, there are alternative methods.

• Gold fillings are a great option - being the only alternative method that is as durable as amalgam and is actually stronger, but the downside is that it is more costly, takes more than one appointment to fill cavity, and is does not look natural in any way.
• Composite resins (“white fillings”) though are more natural- looking, but require more time to place and break easier than amalgam. They can also release chemicals, such as bisphenol-A and formaldehyde.
• Porcelain fillings, the most aesthetically pleasing option, keeps teeth looking like teeth, but are very costly and take more time to put in. It is also not as durable as amalgam and the fillings can be hard against other teeth when chewing.

i wish my dentist would have told me it can get into your breastmilk when i get three fillings last week!!! i wonder if thats reason enough for my insurance to cover porcelain? ive got a bitchy call to make brb  

I think I have composite resins... ew... I don't want formaldehyde in me... ahh! As if I weren't paranoid enough haha I shouldn't have opened this

Quoting fukuana:“ i wish my dentist would have told me it can get into your breastmilk when i get three fillings last week!!! ... [snip!] ... last week!!! i wonder if thats reason enough for my insurance to cover porcelain? ive got a bitchy call to make brb  ”

lol. yes i know. all because it cheep and fast. damn if they would only think about the people, every one would have porcelain fillings.

Quoting 10.13.07:“ I think I have composite resins... ew... I don't want formaldehyde in me... ahh! As if I weren't paranoid enough haha I shouldn't have opened this”

lol. my mind al ready drove me crazy. if i had enough money, porcelain would be my numero uno pick! i just made a conference to get these silver fillings taken out onto be replaced my composite, only to find out they also contain bpa.