Amalgam, a popular dental filling, is the product of
combining silver and mercury. With concerns about Alzheimer’s disease and
multiple sclerosis being caused by mercury poisoning, some believe that the
mercury in amalgam leaking from fillings could be a culprit.
Medical experts and health organizations are not seeing
links between the diseases and amalgam. The American Dental Association is
maintaining their stance on amalgam being safe for dental filling material.
Those statements are backed up by the Public Health Service and the World
Health Organization.
Silver Fillings: Not Harmful to Health (Photo Courtesy eHow)
Several medical studies examining the effects of inorganic
dental filling mercury on humans have ruled out any connection between amalgam
and effects on the body. Experts cite the elemental, inorganic nature of the
mercury in amalgam as a product that cannot be detrimental to human health.
They add that one form of absorbable mercury, methyl mercury, can be absorbed
into the digestive system and might cause cardiovascular disease and autoimmune
disease.
And many people are easily influenced by rumors and hearsay
regarding amalgam—even when confronted by scientific facts claiming their
health will not be affected. These falsities come in the form of articles that
claim that chewing gum causes poisoning from mercury dental filling leaks as
well as videos of supposed mercury vapor emitting from a person’s mouth. The
latter is easily dismissed, as mercury cannot vaporize in one’s mouth unless
the human body is at 673 degrees Fahrenheit.
For those seeking alternatives to amalgam fillings, there
are several. Porcelain has the distinction of looking like tooth enamel and
bending well to the shape of the teeth, though it is more expensive than the
silver-and-mercury material and does not last as long. Resin is less resilient
compared to porcelain and is primarily for minor cavities.
If you have silver fillings and you are considering replacement for cosmetic reasons, American Dental Plan can help you save on dental care. Check out our list of benefits and providers in Arizona.
