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Consumer Group Calls for Ban on Mercury Fillings

Echoing the concerns I've been voicing for some time, consumer activists are pressing the FDA for at least a partial ban on the use of silver amalgam fillings for cavities, because they contain toxic mercury. Their request comes despite a recent FDA determination that mercury fillings don't harm patients, except in cases where they have allergic reactions.

However, the facts speak quite clearly. Silver amalgam fillings contain 50 percent mercury, and mercury vapor is released into the body when you chew and brush your teeth. It's known that significant levels of mercury exposure can lead to brain and kidney damage, and harm fetuses and growing children. Studies have found people with these fillings can have mercury vapor concentrations 10 times higher than those in people without them, and that mercury levels in the blood, urine and body tissues rise the more mercury fillings a person has.

Further, 95 percent of people with disorders of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, paralysis and migraines have mercury-containing fillings. So the consumer group's call for at least a partial ban, and an immediate ban for pregnant women and children, is a wise move.

Personally, I don't believe silver amalgam fillings should be used, and I strongly advise patients to remove them. However, I only recommend having them removed by an experienced biological dentist, otherwise you risk having more mercury deposited in your brain when the fillings are drilled out.

Washington Post September 7, 2006





 
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Comment on This Article Community Comments (15)
 
 
Posted On Sep 29, 2006
It's about time something was done about the mercury in fillings.

 
Jennifer_ Voncannon
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 9/2006
Jennifer_ Voncannon  
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Laserman
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Laserman  
 
Posted On Jun 18, 2007


Ban the amalgam!

 
 
 
Posted On Oct 28, 2006
My question to this issue is: If mercury fillings were so dangerous wouldn't the dentists be demonstrating signs of illness as they work and have worked with mercury for years?

 
drjoey2
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 10/2006
drjoey2  
Replied

Carol W
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
Carol W  
 
Posted On Nov 11, 2006
...and if they aren't a problem , why are mine leaking?
And don't tell me they aren't; I have a "tattoo" on my gum under an amalgam filled tooth. Why do I have problems EVERY single time my chiropractor has attempted a heavy metals detox with homeopathics (which "don't work", according to allopaths?)
You say there isn't a problem with dentists, how do you know? Where's your data? Both of the mercury free dentists I know who drill out a lot of amalgams have also had open heart surgery.  Granted, that's not a large set of data, but ya gotta wonder.
I wonder what the rate of prescriptions for antidepressants and anti psychotics is among dentists is; I daresay that would be very telling.


Sally_Carr
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 6/2006
Sally_Carr  
 
Posted On Nov 12, 2006
There are plenty of studies showing dental assistants and dentists have negative chronic health effects.  See http://www.home.earthlink.net/~berniew1/damspr6.html for an excellent article, complete with references. 

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (http://iaomt.com ) has a lot of good info on this.  You can read their scientific response to the American Dental Association's 1990 talking points about what to say when your patient's ask about mercury by going to IAOMT's site and selecting the menu points Articles/Mercury/A Scientific Response to ADA's 1990 Special Report.




Maria12020
Novice User Novice User Joined On 11/2006
Maria12020  
 
Posted On Nov 21, 2006

I started having severe food allergies, chemical sensivities, and asthma in my early 30's.  I went from Dr. to Dr. trying to figure out what was wrong.  I finally found a physician who told me my fillings and recent root canal where killing my immune system. After removing the fillings and root canal my health dramatically improved. I can't begin to tell you what a difference it made in the quality of my life. I no longer had to take steriods to control my asthma, my allergies significantly improved, and I wasn't chronically fatigued. My completion was an awful gray color with deep dark circles under my eyes prior to removing the fillings/root canal.  Having the fillings removed was brutal on my system as the some mercury is released into your body. Be ready to feel awful as your body begins to detoxify!  I would recommend taking supplements, fish oil, and pro-biotics to support your immune system.     



Laserman
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Laserman  
 
Posted On Jun 18, 2007
Good question!

 
 
 
Posted On Nov 13, 2006
When I lived in the Midwest several years ago, I became quite ill and decided to get my amalgams removed by a biological dentist. I went to your clinic to pursue chelation therapy afterwards- as you speak highly of Dr. Klinghardt and his protocal. My first visit at your clinic was with a physician who claimed chelation was too harsh and refused to do it.  (You, Dr. Mercola, speak highly of chelation therapy on your website. I left. Went back many months later after finding I had Lyme Disease and this same physician didn't feel comfortable treating me. You have a great website, but your clinic doesn't leave much to be desired.

 
lvlks
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 11/2006
lvlks  
 
 
 
Posted On Nov 11, 2006
Mercola.com should sell hair analysis kits. Trying to get my Dr to order one is like pulling teeth. Even if she did, I don't know if she'd use a lab with proper technique. I imagine this is similar elsewhere.




 
Carol W
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 6/2006
Carol W  
 
 
 
Posted On Nov 14, 2006
I was reading an article by Dr. Klinghardt today and he comments it can also harm babies in utero. Laura J

 
choosehappiness
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 6/2006
choosehappiness  
 
 
 
 
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