Are Dental Amalgam Fillings Safe?
April 5th 2009 18:11
Dental amalgam has been used in dentistry for over 200 years, yet still mired in controversy. Dental amalgam is an alloy elemental mercury, silver, tin, copper and sometimes other metallic elements.
Many people believe that the mercury in amalgam could lead to health problems. However, health professionals report that there is not enough mercury contained in the amalgam to cause any potential problems normally associated with mercury such as kidney or lung damage.
Dr. Rod Mackert , professor of dental materials at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, states that due to low doses of mercury contained in amalgam, a person would need over 265 fillings before slight symptoms of mercury toxicity would be felt. The average person has seven dental fillings and would therefore absorb only one microgram of mercury per day. In contrast, according the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American absorbs six micrograms of mercury through food, water, and air per day. Clearly, mercury absorption from sources other than amalgam is a much greater risk to human health.
Further support comes from the fact that dental health professionals handle amalgam daily, and are exposed to much higher levels than the average person, with no demonstrated health effects.
Many people believe that the mercury in amalgam could lead to health problems. However, health professionals report that there is not enough mercury contained in the amalgam to cause any potential problems normally associated with mercury such as kidney or lung damage.
Dr. Rod Mackert , professor of dental materials at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, states that due to low doses of mercury contained in amalgam, a person would need over 265 fillings before slight symptoms of mercury toxicity would be felt. The average person has seven dental fillings and would therefore absorb only one microgram of mercury per day. In contrast, according the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American absorbs six micrograms of mercury through food, water, and air per day. Clearly, mercury absorption from sources other than amalgam is a much greater risk to human health.
Further support comes from the fact that dental health professionals handle amalgam daily, and are exposed to much higher levels than the average person, with no demonstrated health effects.
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