Mercury Exposure from your Amalgam Fillings?
By Dr. Paul Rubin & Cynthia Logan
You may not have been born with a silver spoon in your mouth, but chances are you have one or more "silver" fillings in there. It's not, however, a source of emergency wealth-each contains a miniscule amount of the precious metal, and it's mixed with copper, tin and zinc. Oh, and about 50% mercury. That's the blobby silvery stuff you see in old-fashioned thermometers, and it makes for great visual effects in movies like Terminator 2. It's also one of the earth's most dangerous substances-more toxic than lead, cadmium or arsenic. If you are one of less than 10% of American adults aware that his or her silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, no doubt your dentist assured you it was completely stable and absolutely safe. But is it?
The American Dental Association states: "Mercury in dental
amalgam chemically combines with other ingredients, including
silver, to form a biologically inactive substance,"1 but
there is irrefutable scientific evidence that amalgam fillings
leak mercury, mostly in the form of mercury vapor, and that it
accumulates in body tissues. According to L.R. Goldman, writing
in the American Academy of Pediatrics,(2001) "The developing
fetus and young children are thought to be disproportionately
affected by mercury exposure, because many aspects of development,
particularly brain maturation, can be disturbed by the presence
of mercury. Minimizing mercury exposure is, therefore, essential
to optimal child health."
In 1991, a worldwide panel of leading experts in mercury toxicology
was convened by the World Health Organization to assess various
sources of human exposure to mercury. They concluded that the
single greatest source of human exposure was amalgam fillings,
greater than all other sources (food, fish, air, water) combined.2
Dr. Bruce Shelton, Medical Director of the Allergy Center in Phoenix,
Arizona, concurs, and takes it a step further, saying, "Dental
amalgams have set us up for most of the diseases we see today;
I'm convinced that 80% of my patients are ill because of hidden
dental problems." Though easily detectable when tested, the
amount of mercury released is small. So-is it really a problem?
It was for Christine. A healthy child, she sported a mouthful
of shiny silver fillings. Following her marriage, she began having
old fillings replaced, again with silver amalgam. Within five
years, her health had seriously deteriorated, and doctors were
at a loss to help or explain. For nearly two decades, Christine
was constantly exhausted, had difficulty breathing and experienced
allergic reactions to foods and prescription drugs. Mental fogginess
made her feel like she was doing things in slow motion. After
being bedridden for six months, her chiropractor suspected a connection
to mercury. Having been unaware that her dental fillings contained
mercury, Christine researched mercury toxicity and decided to
have the amalgam removed. By the time her last fillings were gone,
her health had vastly improved.
Jill also experienced rapidly deteriorating health in her 30's,
including debilitating neurological impairment. Her doctors offered
no solution, but diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis (MS) and
advised her that her vision and health would continue to decline.
She found a physician interested in alternative medicine and,
after a thorough workup, this doctor was convinced that Jill's
problems were linked to mercury exposure from her numerous amalgam
fillings. After having them replaced, she followed a protocol
for mercury detoxification, experiencing a positive reaction almost
immediately. Today, over fifteen years later, she is in vibrant
health and is convinced that this process literally saved her
life.
These stories may sound remarkable, but they are not unique. Every
holistic dentist can cite dozens, if not hundreds, of such case
histories. Mercury poisoning can cause a wide variety of symptoms
as it damages enzyme systems, cell walls, and other physiological
processes. It can be difficult to diagnose, since its symptoms
often mimic other medical conditions, including psychological
disturbances, oral abnormalities, gastrointestinal problems, and
cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, immune and endocrine
disorders. It can affect the skin, lead to impaired kidney function,
and contribute to chronic fatigue, joint pain and muscle weakness.
Manufacturer's directions accompanying dental amalgam include
the statement that, "Mercury has been reported to be associated
with a wide variety of health effects, including reproductive
toxicity."
Mercury poisoning comes from mercury exposure. Is the exposure
from amalgam fillings really enough to be a problem? Well documented
scientific studies over the past fifteen years or so, demonstrate
that mercury from amalgam fillings accumulates in all body tissues.4
Alarmingly, it has also been shown to pass through the placenta
into fetal blood supply and fetal tissues.5 It also accumulates
in mother's milk, further exposing the newborn.6 It can reduce
kidney function and create antibiotic resistant bacteria in the
gut.7 And, it has been implicated in neurological damage similar
to Alzheimer's Disease.8
Though silver fillings have been standard practice for the past
150 years, dentists have always been advised to handle mercury
and amalgam with extreme care. Strict protocols are followed to
protect the dentist and staff from the toxic effects of mercury.
"Scrap" amalgam that's left over after placing a filling
is handled cautiously and stored in a sealed, leakproof container
until it is taken to a certified, licensed metal recycler. At
this point, it is considered hazardous waste by the US Environmental
Protection Agency.
If the substance shouldn't come into contact with a dentist's
fingers, should it come into contact with the more tender, often
compromised tissues of the mouth? Should it be placed anywhere
near the brain, whose base lies just 1 inch from the roof of the
mouth? Shouldn't the public have the right to know about potential
negative "side effects" posed by mercury-laden fillings?
Shouldn't it be the responsibility of dentists to provide this
information? Unfortunately, dentists are not only discouraged
from doing so by the ADA, but in some states are actually forbidden
by their Boards of Dentistry to present such information and will
lose their license if they talk about it! Why?
The American Dental Association is a trade organization whose
roots are tangled in the mercury controversy (see Sidebar...end
of article). Since they accredit virtually every American dental
school, they dictate curriculum. The ADA Code of Ethics, often
adopted by State Dental Boards, considers it unethical for a dentist
to remove and replace "serviceable" amalgam fillings
in order to remove an allegedly toxic material from the body-if
this is done solely at the recommendation of the dentist.8 But
the code states it is ethical for a dentist to replace "serviceable"
mercury fillings for aesthetic reasons. Might there be a discrepancy
here? Might it have to do with money? (Again, see Sidebar).
Quack, Quack, Where's The Duck?
Those who practice holistic, mercury-free dentistry are sometimes
labeled as "quacks." Some have been harassed or persecuted;
some have even had their licenses revoked, simply because their
conscience dictates they refrain from using what they understand
to be a poison inside their patients' mouths.
Ironically, the original use of the term "quack" described
dentists who used silver mercury amalgam fillings, mercury being
known as quicksilver in the United States, but "quacksilver"
in Europe. "Quacks" also described people who applied
mercury topically to "cure" diseases such as syphilis.
Skin lesions treated with mercury did disappear; however it served
only to drive the disease deeper into the body, penetrating vital
organs and nervous system, causing a painful death. Perhaps because
of such a heinous history, European countries have seriously restricted
or discouraged the use of mercury amalgam fillings.
Such progressive action actually mirrors the position of the original
American Society of Dental Surgeons, which, in 1848, required
its members to sign pledges promising NOT to use mercury in filling
material. When a number of member dentists in New York City violated
the pledge and used mercury, they were suspended from the organization
for "malpractice by using silver mercury fillings."
According to Morton Walker, D.P.M. ("Elements of Danger")
the suspended fellows refused to give up their toxic ways because
working with mercury offered an easily malleable filling material
which required much less time and effort to apply, at a lesser
cost than other materials. They formed a new, competitive dental
organization, recognized today as the American Dental Association.
Though it strongly supports the use of amalgam, the ADA distances
itself from potential liability regarding the substance. It does
not certify amalgam, claiming it is a "reaction product"
mixed by the dentist. Similarly, the FDA has never certified or
even classified "mixed" amalgam. In a tort liability
suit, ADA attorneys pleaded: "The ADA owes no legal duty
to protect the public from allegedly dangerous products used by
dentists. The ADA did not manufacture, design, supply or install
the mercury-containing amalgams, and does not control those who
do."8 So, although many dentists have been persecuted for
not using amalgam, the majority of those who do are most likely
unaware that the American Dental Association has abandoned them
legally.
Fortunately, State Dental Boards and Attorneys General in several
states have been successfully stopped from prosecuting holistic
dentists. In March of this year, the Oregon Dental Board was forced
to rescind its "gag order" statutes that had forbidden
dentists from even discussing with patients the potential toxic
effects of mercury amalgam. States with similar statutes are now
on notice, since the ACLU stepped in, claiming that Oregon was
in violation of First Amendment rights. A few months ago, California
Governor Gray Davis threw out the entire state Dental Board for
their irresponsible actions relating to mercury amalgam information.
The ADA has been named in numerous class action lawsuits, which
allege fraudulent misrepresentation regarding the amalgam issue.
Congressional hearings are scheduled for this session and many
state actions are pending.
And at least one Federal bill (titled the Mercury in Dental Fillings
Disclosure and Prohibition Act) has been introduced, by Congresswoman
Diane Watson of California, seeking to ultimately rid dentistry
of this pre-Civil War material.
Dental Mercury-An Enviro Hazard
Another concern is municipal water contamination. Whenever an
amalgam filling is placed or removed, scrap amalgam (in the form
of a sludge of very fine particles) gets scooped up by the dental
vacuum unit and goes down the drain. Wastewater treatment agencies
around the country have expressed growing concern about mercury
levels in dental office wastewater, and several municipalities
have followed King County, Washington's requirement that dental
offices be equipped with devices that capture and keep mercury
out of the wastewater.
What To Do?
Educate yourself. Research the facts. Insist that your dentist
use alternative, mercury-free materials when filling cavities.
Though there is no perfect material in dentistry, composite resins
and ceramics are durable, natural looking, and highly bio-compatible.
They do require more time, skill and advanced training than amalgam
fillings, and therefore are more expensive.
If you decide to have amalgam fillings removed, choose an experienced
holistic dentist who follows specific protocols for protecting
you from mercury exposure during the treatment process, who can
assess the bio-compatibility of alternative materials, and who
can refer you to someone skilled in mercury detoxification. Mercury
is very persistent in body tissues. To remove it from the mouth
but not from the rest of the body does only half the job. Heavy
metal detoxification may involve nutritional recommendations,
supplements, chelation therapy, sauna treatments, colonic cleansing
and other procedures. This is not a do-it-yourself project!
Finding an appropriate dentist in your area shouldn't be too difficult,
though the numbers are still fairly small. The associations listed
at the end of this article provide references. Often, holistically
oriented medical doctors and naturopathic physicians will be aware
of "mercury-free" dentists. When interviewing a potential
dentist, don't hesitate to ask questions such as the following:
1. How long has the dentist been practicing mercury-free?
2. Do they ever use amalgams? An office that will use alternative
materials when you ask, but still uses amalgam on other patients
is not committed to mercury-free dentistry!
3. Have they had advanced training for safely treating patients
with mercury toxicity?
4. Do they have protective protocols for patients and staff?
5. Are they affiliated with any of the organizations listed below?
6. Do they have amalgam fillings in their own mouths?
The resources listed below offer further, in-depth information. When you are well informed, share what you've learned with friends, as well as with professionals in the medical and dental fields. Ask your Congressional Representative to support Diane Watson's bill on dental amalgam (H.R.4163). Many parts of the country are actively trying to get mercury out of the environment (banning mercury thermometers and other products containing mercury). Remember the expression, "Think Globally, Act Locally?" It doesn't get any more "local" than your own mouth.
SIDEBAR
Mercury amalgam was first introduced into this country in the 1830's. Dentistry was an emerging profession, more or less divided between mechanically oriented craftsmen and medically oriented professionals trying to rise above the barber/dentist image. Amalgam provided a cheap, easy method of filling cavities. But many looked upon it as poisonous and medically unsound. In the 1840s the American Society of Dental Surgeons urged its members to sign a pledge not to use this inferior material. A major battle took place, economics won out, and the ASDS began to fall apart.
A new group of amalgam-using dentists split from their more medically
oriented predecessors and formed the American Dental Association
in 1856. Today, this organization still claims that amalgam fillings
are safe and appropriate, in spite of scientific evidence to the
contrary. They may even have profited through patents on amalgam
formulas (now expired) and on fees for their "Seal of Approval"
program. The majority of well-meaning, skilled and caring dentists
rely almost solely on ADA sponsored publications and sources for
their information. This information is highly biased and often
inaccurate, resulting in regrettable dental practices. Organizations
such as the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology
(see below) have tried to counterbalance this by providing valid
research and information that dentists don't otherwise hear.
Resources
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology: 407-298-2450
http://www.iaomt.org;
Holistic Dental Association: 970-259-1091 http://www.holisticdental.org;
American Academy of Biological Dentistry:
813-659-5385
Endnotes
1. Press Release from the American Dental Association, June 13,
2001.
2. World Health Organization, Environmental Health Criteria 118:
Inorganic Mercury, Geneva, 1991.
3. Hahn, U. et al, "Whole body imaging of the distribution
of mercury released from dental fillings into monkey tissues."
FASEB J, 4:3256-3260, 1990.
4. Vimy, M.J. et al, "Maternal-fetal distribution of mercury
released from dental amalgam fillings". Am J Physiol, 258,
R939-R945, 1990.
5. Vimy, M.J. et al, "Mercury from maternal 'silver' tooth
fillings in sheep and human breast milk. A source of neonatal
exposure." Biol Trace Elem Res 56(2):143-52, 1997.
6. Boyd, N.D. et al, "Mercury from dental 'silver' tooth
fillings impairs sheep kidney function." Amer J Physiol,
261:R1010-R1-14, 1991.
7. Pendergrass, J.C. et al, "Mercury vapor inhalation inhibits
binding of GTP to tubulin in rat brain: similarity to a molecular
lesion in Alzheimer diseased brain." NeuroToxicology, 18:315-324,
1997.
8. Case No. 718228, In The Superior Court of California in and
for the County of Santa Clara, 22 October, 1992.
About Dr. Rubin:
Dr. Paul Rubin has practiced biocompatible dentistry in Seattle
for over twenty years and he can be reached at 206-367-6453.