Benefits of Going to a Mercury-Free Dentist

Mercury-filling removal is a controversial process. Many feel that most dentists do not take enough caution in the process, which has sparked a plethora of mercury-free dentists around the country. When you go to a mercury-free dentist (also known as a holistic dentist), they understand the negative impact that mercury can have on your overall health. Because of that concern, they focus on patient education and strive to remove mercury fillings in a safe way.

Giving patients a better chance

Dentists who engage in elective replacement of amalgam fillings (silver fillings) are sometimes criticized by their peers for unnecessarily exposing their patients to additional mercury during the process of grinding fillings. Approximately 50 percent of a dental amalgam filling is elemental mercury by weight.

The amount of mercury that these fillings release depends on the number of fillings a patient has and other circumstances such as chewing, teeth-grinding, and the consumption of hot liquids. There are also higher levels of mercury releasing mercury during the placement, replacement, and removal of dental mercury amalgam fillings.

Scientific evidence has established, beyond any doubt, two propositions:

1) Amalgam releases mercury in significant quantities, creating measurable exposures in people with fillings

2) Chronic exposure to mercury in the quantity of amalgam increases the risk of physiological harm.

Furthermore, amalgam fillings often eventually lead to tooth fractures and cracks. Mercury is also contributing to the pollution issue. Dental offices have been collectively identified as the major source of mercury pollution in municipal wastewater. Regulatory action is in place in many jurisdictions requiring dental offices to install mercury separators on their wastewater lines.

Mercury-Free dentists

Because of these issues, about 50 percent of dentists in the U.S. are mercury-free. Mercury-free dentistry knows that it’s crucial to understand these risks when removing and replacing amalgam "silver" fillings, or you could risk acute toxicity from the mercury released during the removal process.

Mercury-free dentists focus on the ways to reduce and minimizing mercury exposure. For example, during the mercury filling removal they take the following precautions:

• Providing you with an alternative air source and instructing you not to breathe through your mouth
• Using a cold-water spray to minimize mercury vapors
• Putting a dental dam in your mouth so you don’t swallow or inhale any toxins
• Using a high-volume evacuator near the tooth at all times to evacuate the mercury vapor
• Washing your mouth out immediately after the fillings have been removed (the dentist should also change gloves after the removal)
• Immediately cleaning your protective wear and face once the fillings are removed
• Using room air purifiers

After removing the dental amalgam fillings, we must replace them with a different dental filling material. Most consumers choose direct composite fillings because the white coloring matches the tooth better and the cost is more affordable. Whatever material you choose, make sure to choose mercury-free.

Now that you know the importance of a mercury-free dentist, don’t hesitate to find one near you. In almost every community in America, you can find a mercury-free dentist.