Most of us probably had experienced a toothache at some point in our life. If left untreated this pain could become excruciating, eventually causing swelling of the tissue due to infection leading to further complications. In such a situation, one thing that we really want to do is to get the pain taken care of by getting a filling, if that may even be an option. Unfortunately, we may not necessarily be better off by simply getting a filling. According to Naiman (2011) mercury and composite dental fillings contain dangerous toxins and after being placed into our mouth, continually release poison into our body. Approximately 50% of a dental amalgam filling is composed of liquid mercury and the other 50% is a powdered alloy containing silver, tin and copper (About Dental). This liquid form of mercury, which releases mercury vapor may be absorbed in our lungs. Certain organizations claim that the toxicity from mercury dental fillings causes multitude of issues associated with neurological and gastrointestinal problems (Amalgam/Mercury).Latest “safer” alternative to an amalgam has been a composite dental filling. This type of filling, which is made of fillers and inorganic materials, contains bisphenol-A (BPA) in the base material that can act as a xenoestrogen. Xenoestrogens could act falsely as estrogens in disruption of the reproductive process.
Mechanically, amalgam fillings may induce fracture stresses, resulting in breaking of a tooth. Composite dental fillings may also induce stresses on a tooth due to shrink factor, or compromise the bonding margin leading to a premature failure.
Now, should we be totally concerned about dental fillings and struggle with a toothache to the point of a mandatory extraction? Fortunately for us, the situation isn’t so drastic. Amalgam fillings have been used for the past 150 years in hundreds of millions of patients (About Dental). FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children over the age of 6. Vapors from amalgam, which are produced during the removal or placement of a filling, are adequately controlled in the dental office by a strong vacuum suctioning. As far as dental composites, it has been shown that human exposure to BPA is minimal and poses no known health risks.
Now, should we be totally concerned about dental fillings and struggle with a toothache to the point of a mandatory extraction? Fortunately for us, the situation isn’t so drastic. Amalgam fillings have been used for the past 150 years in hundreds of millions of patients (About Dental). FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children over the age of 6. Vapors from amalgam, which are produced during the removal or placement of a filling, are adequately controlled in the dental office by a strong vacuum suctioning. As far as dental composites, it has been shown that human exposure to BPA is minimal and poses no known health risks.
So, go ahead and take care of that broken tooth and remember that when in doubt, consult with your dentist.
References:
Naiman I. Dental Issues. Retrieved December 2, 2011, from http://www.ingridnaiman.com/
About Dental Amalgam Fillings. FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from: http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/dentalproducts/dentalamalgam/ucm171094.htm
Photo retrieved from: http://www.london-emergencydentist.co.uk/toothache.html
I read on a website that the amalgam fillings have an adverse effect on the immune system response by changing levels of red and white blood cells, and that after the removal of the amalgam filling, red and white blood cell levels go back to the normal level,allowing the immune system to again work at a normal level. They said that this was due to the mercury levels in the filling that actually did "leak" into the individuals blood stream at very low levels consistently.
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