An amalgam filling can pose many health risks and should be removed by a family dentist. This is especially important for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, the mercury from these fillings can also suppress the immune system. The brain and lungs are constantly absorbing mercury from these fillings.
In the field of dentistry, amalgam is a substance that is used in fillings. It has been used for more than 150 years to create fillings for teeth. It is created from a mix of a few different types of metals. These include liquid mercury mixed with a powder. The powder consists of metals such as tin, silver and copper. The liquid mercury forms about half of this filling.
While these types of fillings are known as “silver fillings,” they do contain mercury. The mercury allows the powder to bind together.
Because amalgam fillings contain mercury, these fillings pose a potential risk. It can release a small amount of mercury into the air that the lungs can absorb. This can cause harmful effects in the brain and the kidneys for patients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that these types of fillings are safe for patients.
However, the fillings can cause potential problems for pregnant women. For example, because the nervous systems of babies in the womb are still developing, babies can be more susceptible to the risks of amalgam fillings. More studies are needed on the risks of amalgam fillings to unborn children. There is also little evidence on the safety of amalgam fillings for breastfeeding women.
Another problem with amalgam fillings is that the fillings can suppress the immune system. The mercury can gradually leak out of the filling and be absorbed by the brain, leading to some level of mercury poisoning. The mercury can leave the fillings faster when the patient drinks hot liquids. While patients may not experience any symptoms from mercury exposure right away, the mercury will gradually build up in the body. This leads to a cumulative effect that can hurt patients after many years have gone by.
For patients who truly want to be healthy, a family dentist can replace amalgam fillings with ones that pose fewer risks to the health. The family dentist will work to ensure the patient is protected from the mercury that may be released during the removal process. This may include guards in the mouth, napkins to prevent saliva leakage and suction devices to remove saliva.
If you are concerned about the effects of amalgam fillings, especially if you have young children, you should talk to your family dentist. The dentist can advise you on the right course of action. This may include replacing older fillings with safer alternatives. You can rest assured that we will keep you safe from mercury fumes during the removal process.
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