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American dentists are still using mercury amalgam
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Photo by Tom Lusk
American dentists are still using mercury amalgam. Sweden, Norway and Denmark have banned the practice. Canada has restricted the use of mercury amalgam, protecting children, pregnant woman and their fetuses.
For those of you who are hearing this for the first time, an explanation is in order. What dentists call “silver fillings” are really amalgams containing more than 50% mercury. If you have silver fillings, you most likely have mercury fillings.
If you’re wondering how this can happen in the United States of America, the use of mercury amalgam is basically a carryover from the 1800’s.
In the 1800’s fillings were made of gold. Gold was so expensive that many people couldn’t afford it. Dentists began to experiment with cheaper substitutes. Lead was found to be too toxic. Mercury was safer than lead and much cheaper than gold.
In 2009, there are many affordable alternatives to mercury amalgam. Composites made of plastic are more attractive, as well. Still, there are dentists who continure to use mercury amalgam.
If you decide to talk to your dentist about your amalgams, expect a little resistance. If your dentist waxes on about the safety of mercury amalgam, be sure to ask how their office disposes of old mercury fillings.
It is illegal to toss mercury amalgam in the garbage or down the drain. It’s too toxic.
California requires larger dental offices to post a sign warning of the dangers of mercury amalgam, but, other than that, the government does not protect us from this practice.
It’s up to us to become informed and to make good choices.
For further reading: It's All in Your Head by Hal Huggins.
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For more on environmental toxins:
Lessons learned about mixing chemical cleaners
PAMF warns against commercial cleaners, air fresheners, and pesticides
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