Dental Amalgam “Mercury” Fillings…Are They Safe?
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The FDA decided to weigh in on this question about the safety of Dental Amalgam (Mercury) Fillings with a new statement this week found here : FDA statement about Dental Amalgam Fillings
In the statement, they warn people that are at higher risk to avoid these kinds of fillings.
Who do they define as higher risk?
- Pregnant women and their developing fetuses;
- Women who are planning to become pregnant;
- Nursing women and their newborns and infants;
- Children, especially those younger than six years of age;
- People with pre-existing neurological disease;
- People with impaired kidney function; and
- People with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.
Mercury Fillings Continue to Release Mercury
They also state that,
“Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury. It releases low levels of mercury in the form of a vapor that can be inhaled and absorbed by the lungs. High levels of mercury vapor exposure are associated with adverse effects in the brain and the kidneys.”
For those that know my story, you can imagine how happy I was that the FDA took even one step in the right direction about these mercury fillings.
If you don’t know my personal story, you can find more info here, but I’ll give you a brief summary.
I was a busy cosmetic dentist, drilling out fillings that my patient thought were black and ugly, and those I found had cracked teeth and were allowing bacteria from the mouth to leak under.
I had been doing this for about 13 years when my health problems started.
I visited every doctor I could think of and no one had any answers for me.
The digestive problems, brain fog, and numbness in my hands were all getting worse, and I placed my practice for sale.
I finally had someone mention mercury poisoning – from the fillings I had been DRILLING OUT!
I was tested and had high levels of mercury – I was being poisoned as I did my job!
I had to learn how to remove mercury fillings safely.
Now I am a very strong proponent of removing mercury safely and when there are health concerns.
The Precautions We Take at Total Care Dental and Wellness
Fast forward to today.
I now am the clinical director of the very busy Biologic Dental practice you know as Total Care Dental and Wellness.
We have specially built mercury clean rooms to remove mercury fillings safely, and have patients seek us out from around the nation for these procedures.
So yes, I am glad the FDA is saying something about mercury!
If you or anyone you know falls in the categories listed above as higher risk, please let them know about the concerns with mercury fillings.
They are dangerous, and in my case, nearly took away my health and my profession.
If you choose to have them removed, PLEASE do it safely.
What does safely mean?
We use the protocols established by the IAOMT and are SMART certified to safely remove the fillings.
This means we use a high powered vacuum at the patient’s chin, face and body drapes to prevent mercury from landing on the skin, special mercury filtration masks for all team members, high volume suction, and water and a rinse to pick up the mercury remnants.
If you are going to have a filling removed, DO NOT have it removed unless it can be done with these protocols in place.
You can go read more about mercury fillings, their dangers, and how to have them removed here.
We are glad you have chosen Total Care Dental and Wellness for your health and wellness dental home, and we will continue to provide up to date information and standards to improve your life and your health!
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To health!
Dr. Michelle Jorgensen
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