What are 'silver fillings' or 'amalgams'?

If you are concerned about mercury-safe dentistry, please watch this video, Mercury: The Poison in Your Teeth produced by Dr. Tom McGuire and Dr. Paul Rubin.

It's the first video that conclusively proves that not only is significant amounts of mercury vapor released from amalgam fillings but also quantitatively demonstrates the actual amount being released by a common form of stimulation; tooth brushing! The video also compares the vapor release from other forms of stimulation by the patient - and at the dental office.

First of all, silver fillings are not only made out of silver.  ‘Silver fillings’ today are made up of 50% mercury by weight and fillings from decades ago were even higher in mercury.  The other metals that are in 'silver fillings' include, tin, copper, zinc and silver. An amalgam is an alloy of mercury with another metal (usually silver) used by dentists to fill cavities in teeth.

So, what is mercury?  Mercury is the element of atomic number 80 on the table of periodic elements.It is a silvery-white poisonous metallic element, liquid at room temperature.  Also, it is one of the most toxic substances on earth.  (It is more toxic than lead!)

So, why is it that this toxic element is in 'silver fillings' and can it adversely effect your health?
Mercury has been used in 'silver fillings' since the 1800s. Mercury worked well with amalgam for filling teeth back then and it was CHEAP.  Also there had not been any scientific research performed until recently that made clear its toxicity to human health.  Today, dentists and the public in general are not educated on all the studies that show the health risks of mercury exposure by way of 'silver fillings.' Scientists are continuing to explore and measure the damage these ‘silver fillings' have caused to human health. 

The mercury in amalgams have always been thought to 'set' so that once mercury had hardened in the amalgam, it could not escape.  Until recently, scientists using very sophisticated instruments have discovered the mercury in amalgam fillings does not ‘set’ but is always vaporizing and entering our bodies because we swallow it and breath it into our bodies.

Studies show that some of the ailments experienced by people that were exposed to mercury in industrial accidents or in the use of mercury treated seed grain for food include, allergies; chronic fatigue; immune system weakness; cognitive difficulties; gastrointestinal tract issues and periodontal disease, just to name a few.  Since we are all individuals with biologic differences, we experience different illnesses from one another and at varying degrees.

If you are bothered by persistent health issues that you can't seem to resolve with your internist and you have 'silver fillings,’ get your blood tested for mercury levels. The removal of your 'silver fillings' may be the way to start getting healthy.

*For more in-depth information about the effects of mercury to human health and scientific research, refer to a book called “The Mercury In Your Mouth” Quicksilver Associates.