Mercury Free Dentistry

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Mercury is an extremely poisonous metabolic, enzymatic, and genetic toxin. It is much worse than lead, cadmium, or arsenic. Over 150 million Americans have mercury amalgam fillings in their teeth. The majority of them have at least eight mercury amalgam fillings. Every time these millions of amalgam fillings are stimulated, mercury vapor is released. In addition, tens of millions have both the galvanic current-creating combination of amalgam fillings and gold crowns, increasing the amount of mercury vapor released even if the fillings aren’t stimulated.

The general population in America absorbs more mercury from dental fillings than from any other source. Studies demonstrate that two-thirds of the mercury absorbed by non-occupationally exposed populations is derived from amalgam fillings. On average, eighty percent of the mercury inhaled into the lungs is absorbed into the bloodstream.

While the answer to the question whether amalgam fillings are safe appears to be yes by U.S. dental organizations such as American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry, no studies have been done that proves amalgam to be 100% safe. Groups and organizations questioning the safety of amalgam include the World Health Organization and various European researchers.

What we know are scientifically proven facts about mercury and dental amalgam:

1. Dental Amalgam contains about 50% Mercury
2. Mercury has been scientifically demonstrated to be more toxic than Lead, Cadmium, or even Arsenic
3. Mercury leaves dental amalgam continuously throughout the lifetime of the filling
4. Mercury vapour is the main way that mercury comes out of amalgam
5. Mercury vapour is absorbed at a rate of 80% through the lungs into the arterial blood
6. Mercury is cytotoxic. i.e. it kills cells
7. There is NO harmless level of Mercury Vapour Exposure
8. Mercury from amalgam binds to –SH (sulphydryl) groups. These exist in almost every enzymatic process in the body. Mercury from amalgam will thus have the potential of disturbing all metabolic processes
9. Mercury from amalgam will result in a slow build up of mercury in body tissue
10. Mercury vapour is absorbed directly into the brain
11. Mercury from amalgam will result in a slow build up of mercury in the body tissue
12. Mercury crosses the blood brain barrier
13. Mercury is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
14. Mercury from amalgam is stored in the fetus of a pregnant woman and in the infant after it is born
15. Mercury from amalgam is stored in the breast milk and the fetus up to 8 times more than the mother’s tissues
16. Mercury (Mercury Vapour/Methyl mercury) crosses the placenta
17. Mercury crosses into breast milk
18. Mercury will severely reduce reproductive function
19. Mercury rapidly depletes the immune system
20. Mercury will induce a number of Auto Immune Diseases
21. Mercury will cause an increase in number and severity of allergies
22. Mercury from amalgam is stored principally in the kidneys, liver and brain
23. Mercury from amalgam (shown in animal experiments) causes kidney damage
24. Mercury from amalgam will cause a 50% reduction in kidney filtration as shown in a study of sheep after amalgam placement
25. Mercury from amalgam is methylated in the mouth. Methyl mercury is more toxic than elemental Mercury
26. After chewing, mercury vapour levels will remain raised for at least another 90 minutes
27. Mercury from amalgam will migrate through the tooth
28. This rate of migration is increased if a gold crown is placed over a tooth filled with amalgam
29. Teeth are living tissue and are a part of our bodies
30. Teeth have a massive communication via blood, lymph and nerves with the rest of the body
31. Mercury from amalgam is absorbed into the body at a rate of 3 to 17 mcg/day
32. Mercury release is increased by: increase in temperature, friction & increase in electrical currents
33. Mercury from amalgam will enter the body as: Elemental Mercury, Inorganic Mercury, Vapour, charged Mercury Ions
34. In the brain, mercury from amalgam is stored preferentially in the Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus
35. Micro-Mercurialism is principally characterized by Neurological symptoms
36. Mercury is transported along the axons of nerve fibres
37. Mercury from amalgam may be stored in every other cell in the body. Each area affected will produce its own set of symptoms
38. Mercury binds to hemoglobin in the red blood cell thus reducing oxygen carrying capacity
39. Mercury damages blood vessels reducing blood supply to the tissues (micro-angiopathies)
40. Amalgam fillings produce electrical currents, which might be injurious to health. These currents are measurable in Micro-Amps. The Central Nervous System (brain) operates in the range of Nano-Amps this is one thousand times less than Micro-Amp
41. Dissimilar metals in the mouth (i.e. gold & amalgam) will produce higher electrical currents
42. Mercury from amalgam (shown in animal experiments) will induce Antibiotic Resistance and Mercury resistance in bacteria in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract
43. Brain levels of mercury are in a direct linear proportion to the number of surfaces of amalgam fillings in the mouth
44. The level of mercury in the brain tissue of fetus’s, new born and young children is proportional to the number of amalgams in the mother’s mouth
45. Mercury will cause single strand breaks in DNA
46. Mercury levels in the body cannot be assessed be either blood or urine levels
47. Mercury from amalgam fillings is the single greatest source of dietary mercury for the general population
48. Dental personnel are severely affected by exposure to mercury
49. Amalgam (mercury contained) large fillings expand and may cause tooth cracks and fractures
50. Amalgam fillings are esthetically poor

We are aware of these facts. Therefore, we feel obligated to inform our patients what many prominent scientists have concluded so that they make educated decisions about own dental health. We are truly dedicated to provide safe and sound dental care using biocompatible materials and advanced technologies.

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