Health Inspired Dentistry Blog
FDA identifies "high risk" people of dental amalgam mercury fillings
12-01-20
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been has been reviewing and considering scientific literature on the safety of dental amalgam.
Key findings reveal a potential issue that affects overall health is chronic mercury poisoning resulting from the release of mercury vapor from amalgam (silver) fillings. Mercury poisoning can directly produce many health risks, but can also be devastating to the immune system and the secondary (indirect) effects of chronic mercury poisoning on the immune system can, over time, be even more destructive to one’s health than its direct effects. See more on this in our article, For the Health Professional, Part 1: The truth about the toxicity of amalgam (silver) fillings.
The FDA recommends the following groups are at greater risk to the potential adverse health effects of mercury exposure
- Pregnant women and their developing fetuses;
- Women who are planning to become pregnant;
- Nursing women and their newborns and infants;
- Children, especially those younger than six years of age;
- People with pre-existing neurological disease;
- People with impaired kidney function; and
- People with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.
(source: FDA.gov: Recommendations About the Use of Dental Amalgam in Certain High-Risk Populations: FDA Safety Communication September 24, 2020)
Source: https://iaomt.org/fda-populations-to-avoid-dental-amalgam-mercury-fillings/
The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Technology (IAOMT) shares an infograph and sources demonstrating the FDA considers 60% of the US population as high risk to the potential adverse health effects of mercury exposure.
If you are an individual in one of these groups, the FDA recommends that alternative, non-mercury materials such as composite resins or glass ionomer cements be used when possible and appropriate.
- Be aware the durability of any tooth restoration (filling) depends on many factors besides dental filling material. To help your teeth and fillings last as long as possible, you should maintain a healthy diet, proper oral hygiene, and regular dental checkups.
- You should discuss treatment options, including the associated benefits and risks of using dental amalgam or an alternative non-mercury filling material, with your dentist. View the FDA’s informational brochure for patients and talk with your dentist if you have additional questions.
Finding a holistic dental practice proficient with amalgam replacement
Dr. Claudia Minadeo-Fox and Health Inspired Dentistry offer the best “refilling” choices and since we don’t place amalgam fillings, we stay current on the latest in replacement filling materials and treatment plans. There isn’t one solution for every patient.
Contact us to discuss the best option for you.
Sources: FDA.gov: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/recommendations-about-use-dental-amalgam-certain-high-risk-populations-fda-safety-communication
IAOMT.org: https://iaomt.org/fda-populations-to-avoid-dental-amalgam-mercury-filling
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