Amalgam is an alloy of mercury with various metals used for dental fillings. It consists of mercury (50%), silver (~22-32% ), tin (~14%), copper (~8%), and other trace metals. In the 1800s, amalgam was used as it was inexpensive and durable.
There seem to be mounting evidence on the health risks associated with placing mercury into your teeth. Interestingly enough, about 72% of people surveyed in the US did not know that silver fillings contain mercury, 92% would have wanted to know the risks and options offered to them before they had them placed.
A controversy started when Dr. Oz aired a segment on the toxic effects of Mercury.
As Dr. Jospeh Mercola reports: “remember there’s a big difference between acutely lethal toxicity and insidious, disease-producing toxicity that accumulates over time. Just because it doesn’t instantly kill you, does NOT mean it’s harmless!”
The American Dental Association (ADA), does not seem to acknowledge any risks associated with the use of dental mercury.
We hear that more an more dentists are opting for other filling option. According to a survey, 52 percent of American dentists report they are no longer placing amalgams in their patients’ mouths.
Last year, the New York University College of Dentistry announced that amalgam will no longer be the default restoration material students are taught to use.
- How much mercury is safe, then?
- According to the EPA, 0.1 micrograms of mercury per kilogram of body weight per day is safe. For an adult who weighs around 150 pounds, that’s about 7 micrograms. A 6-ounce can of tuna has about 20 micrograms of mercury, about 3 times the safe amount per day. Scientists do have concerns that mercury in tuna and other fatty fish might present a health hazard.
- When our health is concerned, it is better to be safe than sorry.
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