When I first started dating Scott, within a couple of months I made him get his mercury fillings removed. I don’t like to say I “made him” as much as I strongly suggested and used my overwhelming charm to force him to comply. Generally speaking, I’m a very cool girlfriend (now wife) but there are some things I just don’t play around with. Drugs, cheating, and MERCURY FILLINGS. Yes, I put them all in the same category.

According the the FDA, amalgam fillings are a safe option that also happen to be the cheapest. They’re approved for safety and recommended because they don’t break as easily as other fillings. The FDA also says,

Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury. It releases low levels of mercury vapor that can be inhaled. High levels of mercury vapor exposure are associated with adverse effects in the brain and the kidneys.

FDA has reviewed the best available scientific evidence to determine whether the low levels of mercury vapor associated with dental amalgam fillings are a cause for concern. Based on this evidence, FDA considers dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above.

Consider that a single mercury fillings can release up to 15 micrograms per day. The EPA’s limit of mercury per day is 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. This means for the average person that weighs 125 pounds, a safe level is 6 micrograms per day. I had two mercury fillings, releasing roughly 30 micrograms per day – five times the safe limit.

Now consider a small child getting that amount everyday.

So how in the world does the FDA approve these as safe? They aren’t, not even close. We encourage pregnant women to avoid fish (a very healthy food) and make no mention of the fillings leaking mercury directly into their systems. It makes no sense!

Mercury is so dangerous because it attacks the central nervous system. Not just in adults and kids, it can also affect an unborn fetus. The EPA states that,

[Mercury] can adversely affect a baby’s growing brain and nervous system. Impacts on cognitive thinking, memory, attention, language, and fine motor and visual spatial skills have been seen in children exposed to methylmercury in the womb.

Mercury has also been linked to:

  • depression
  • weakened immune system
  • anxiety
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • high blood pressure
  • tremors
  • neurological issues
  • vision problems
  • iritability
  • fatigue

It is beyond important to avoid mercury fillings, especially if you’re a parent or plan on becoming a parent. Unfortunately, many of us were given mercury fillings as kids. If you are one of these people, schedule an appointment to get your filing replaces.

HOWEVER. It’s of the utmost importance that you go to a qualified dentist for this procedure. Removing amalgam fillings like regular fillings, without proper procedures, caution and protection, can lead to severe mercury poisoning.

I went to an awesome dentist in DC at National Institute of Health. His name is Dr. McClure and I highly recommend him. He’s quick, nice, funny – and the whole team will sing you a song once you get your mercury fillings removed.

Seriously. They did that when mine were removed. But my face was numb, so I was trying to smile and clap for them – in reality I was clapping and drooling on myself like a crazy person.

You can find a qualified dentist here:

Mercury Free Dentistry

Mercury Safe Dentists

International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine

Why-You-Should-Remove-And-Avoid-Mercury-Fillings

Sources:

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DentalProducts/DentalAmalgam/ucm171094.htm

http://www.mercola.com/article/mercury/mercury_elimination.htm

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/exposure.htm

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/effects.htm

5 Comments

    • dani stout Reply

      This is literally the only comment I have from you (I just did a search). I didn’t delete anything. Feel free to actually submit some information.

  1. I definitely want to get mine removed too-so what happens when they take them out? Do you get a different kind of filling? Thanks.

  2. Had mine removed today! Been waiting years to do so and finally took the plunge. It always made me sick once I’d learned the poison they used on me when I was just an unkowing kid. I had about 8 fillings to replace!

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