subject: potential toxic effects of amalgam [print this page] What you should know about Dental amalgam fillings. An average amalgam filling contains between 0.5 to 1 gram of mercury, which is amalgamated with tin & silver. Mercury has a low vapour pressure, this along with loss due to galvanic acid with other metals in an oral cavity, can cause amalgam fillings to leak mercury vapour continuously. It was previously thought mercury was locked into amalgam, studies have proved this is now not the case. Mercury in its solid form is not stable, unless most has vaporised . It has a low vapour pressure and is constantly being subject to galvanic acid with other metals in the oral cavity. Studies have found that in most amalgam fillings as much as 50% of mercury in fillings has been found to have vaporised after 5 years and 80% by 20 years. Mercury vapour from amalgam is the single largest source of systemic mercury intake for people with amalgam fillings. Studies have shown that a person with amalgam fillings has daily systemic intake from mercury vapour of between 3 and 70 micrograms of mercury, with an average being at least 7 micrograms a day. Mercury can escape from amalgam fillings, through chewing and grinding teeth, especially from older amalgams fillings which are worn down or broken. Mercury vapour that escapes from amalgam fillings can enter our body via saliva and blood and this vapour passes through to our blood very rapidly. Mercury escapes from amalgam fillings and can enter our body, it is deposited in to fatty tissue and our major organs. This can have a disastrous effect on our immune system. Teeth are living tissue, and have a massive communication with the rest of the body via our blood, lymph, and nervous systems. This gives mercury vapour and bacteria on and in our teeth entrance to the rest of our body. Mercury is not biodegradable, and quickly turns to methylmercury - its most toxic form, once in the environment. Some states in America and countries like Germany, Sweden, Norway and most have already imposed a ban on amalgam fillings and some countries have imposed serious limitations of amalgam. Denmark is due to ban the use of amalgam in dental procedures from 1st April 2008. This move has prompted renewed calls from pressure groups for a similar ban to be introduced in the UK. The World Health Organisation has concluded that dental fillings contribute more mercury to a persons body than any other sources of mercury combined. Common symptoms and links of mercury toxicity to general health problems. Jaw joint pain Headaches/migraines Lethargy Depression Anxiety Anger Insomnia Loss of memory Can cause decreases stress tolerance. Schizophrenia Lowers our bodies immune response and can facilitate damage caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal infections like Thrush. It can therefore result in more inflammatory damage to our body tissues, nerves and vital organs. Mercury can damage the blood brain barrier, and therefore facilitates penetration of the brain by other toxic substances. Mercury causes significant destruction to the stomach and intestine epithelial cells resulting in damage to the stomach lining, and has been linked to Stomach Ulcers and Stomach Cancer. Can cause immune system damage, resulting in Allergies, Asthma, Multiple sensitivities, Asthma and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It has been linked to auto-immune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Colitis, Lupus, Erythematosis and arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) Mercury is neurotoxic (kills brain and nerve cells) and cytotoxic (kills cells) and can cause damage to nerve and brain cells and can eventually kill these cells. Only a few micrograms of mercury can severely disturb cellular function and inhibit nerve growth therefore linking it to many neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimers Disease and Strokes. Mercury can cause hormonal problems including effects on the reproductive system. In males it can lower sperm counts, cause defective sperm cells, lower testosterone levels. In females has been linked to infertility and menstrual disturbances. Causes genetic damage to cells and mercury vapour causes rapid transmittal through the placenta and appears in amniotic fluid and foetal blood, liver and pituitary gland soon after placement. Studies have shown that the level of mercury in the tissue of the foetus, new born child, and young children, is directly proportional to the number of amalgam surfaces in the mothers mouth. Dental amalgams are the main source of mercury in breast milk. Milk increases the bioavailability of mercury and mercury is often stored in this breast milk, and the foetus, at much higher levels than the mothers tissues. Government Health Guidelines state fertile women and expectant mothers should avoid the placement and removal of mercury (amalgam) fillings Be more concerned if you have any broken, chipped or old worn amalgam fillings in your mouth (even if you present with no pain) as these are known factors to allow mercury leakage Also if you have any dark pigmentation on your gums or anyway in your mouth( known as amalgam tattoos) as these could be a sign that mercury is leaking from one or more of your amalgam fillings How the aesthetics experts can help you. Firstly arrange a consultation with Dr Harry Singh to discuss your concerns or symptoms. After a thorough examination, which includes an intra-oral examination of your teeth gums and oral tissues, as well as digital radiographs and photographs, Dr Singh will be able to help establish the possible cause of your symptoms. Dr Singh has great skill and knowledge in replacing amalgam fillings with beautiful natural tooth coloured fillings known as composite fillings and therefore can carry out any necessary dental treatment required to put you at less risk from mercury poisoning. At aesthetics we take every special precaution when removing old amalgam fillings and have advanced dental equipment to prevent any inhalation of mercury by our clients up on removal of these fillings. We have the latest advanced mercury collecting suction machinery, again to prevent any mercury vapour evaporating from waste amalgam.
