A new study published in the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology shows that people with dental amalgam fillings do show higher levels of mercury in their urine and suggests that seven or more amalgam fillings may be the level of toxic exposure.
The Research
The research was conducted by Canadian researchers who looked at the number of surfaces of dental amalgam fillings in a group of more than 2100 individuals. They found that people with amalgam fillings did have a statistically significant higher level of mercury in their urine than people without mercury fillings. The average difference between people with mercury fillings and those without was 0.55 µg/g of creatine. Using linear regression, researchers identified that 7 mercury fillings might be tipping point for a potentially dangerous exposure, because people with 7 or more mercury fillings might have 30 to 50% more mercury in their urine than people without mercury amalgam fillings.
Unnecessary Mercury Exposure
Researchers concluded that the use of metal amalgam fillings resulted in a nonnegligible and unnecessary mercury exposure. In the past, some have argued that the amount of exposure people received from metal amalgam fillings was small, but this and other research confirms that it results in a significant increase in exposure to toxic mercury, and even puts an upper limit on the number of amalgam fillings that should be used.
You Don’t Have to Continue Mercury Exposure
The good news is that you don’t have to continue to live with mercury in your mouth. Alternatives exist, including the potential for composite plastic fillings, which can be used to safely replace your metal amalgam fillings.
Not only do tooth-colored fillings replace toxic mercury ones, they are more attractive and can be used to give your mouth a full cosmetic renewal.
To learn about how to get a more attractive and healthier smile, please contact Beyond Exceptional Dentistry in Savannah, Georgia today.
