Derived from "Your Toxic Teeth, Mercury Poisoning from Fillings" by Murray J. Vimy, D.M.D.The modern dental mercury filling was introduced in 1812. Each filling is approximately 50% mercury and contains 750 to 1000 milligrams of the element. Other metals included in the amalgam are silver, copper, tin and zinc.
Concern about mercury-silver fillings resulted in recurring debates known as the Amalgam Wars. One such debate caused the American Society of Dental Surgeons to make the use of mercury in fillings an issue of malpractice. However, the practice continued because the amalgam was inexpensive, easy to use and durable. Membership in the American Society of Dental Surgeons declined until it disbanded in 1856.
From its ashes arose the American Dental Association (ADA), which advocated the use of mercury in fillings. The amalgam controversy erupted again in 1920 when a chemistry professor published articles and letters attacking the implantation of mercury in human mouths. The ADA persisted without supporting its claims with scientific evidence.
Likely to protect is members from lawsuits as concern about mercury and other heavy metals increased, the ADA amended its Code of Ethics to declare the removal of serviceable mercury fillings to be unethical. Although the ADA promotes the safety of mercury fillings, it does not certify them to be safe. It and the Food and Drug Administration only certify that the mercury is 99% pure.
Amazingly, the ADA instructs dental personnel to follow a strict no-touch procedure when handling mercury to protect them from the toxic effects of the mercury they put in your mouth. The Environmental Protection Agency defines scrap dental mercury as a biohazard waste that must be sealed in a leak-proof, fluid-filled container and removed from the dental office by licensed hazard control experts in armored trucks.
Mercury vapor is continually released from dental fillings. The release is increased with chewing, particularly thermally hot, salty and acidic foods. Autopsies of people with mercury fillings found significantly higher mercury levels in their brain and kidney tissues. Animal studies demonstrate that radioactivity tagged mercury from dental fillings invades all tissues after only thirty days of chewing. The highest concentrations are found in the kidney and lever. Kidney function is reduced after dental filling placement.
Mercury fillings constitute your largest single source of mercury. The average daily absorbed dose is 12 micrograms. Alzheimer's brains have significantly higher mercury concentrations and the most likely source of that mercury is fillings. A biochemical pathway when blocked by mercury results in the nerve tangles characteristic of Alzheimer's pathology. Those who have Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Scleroses or A.L.S, or a family history thereof are well advised to avoid mercury fillings.
Dental mercury will cumulate in the unborn within two days after the fillings are placed in the teeth of its mother. The milk of lactating mothers has been found to be contaminated with dental mercury, providing post birth exposure to newborns.
Friendly bacteria in the digestive tract are killed or altered when exposed to mercury in fillings, perhaps explaining the incidence of gum disease. They are replaced by mercury resistant bacteria that are also antibiotic resistant, perhaps explaining the growing ineffectiveness of antibiotics.