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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Danger Lurking in Your Mouth: The Truth About Amalgam Fillings

Jun 04, 2024 11:59AM ● By Jeaniesa Santiano

For many years, mercury-based amalgam fillings have been the standard of care in dental practices worldwide. The American Dental Association (ADA) maintains that these fillings are safe, but recent research from the University of Georgia challenges this long-held belief. This study definitively links amalgam fillings to increased mercury levels in the blood, raising serious concerns about the potential health risks for those with multiple “silver” fillings.

THE HIDDEN RISK IN YOUR FILLINGS

Mercury exposure is a well-documented health hazard, known to cause a variety of issues including brain, heart, lung, and immune system problems. While we can be exposed to mercury through certain foods and environments, dental amalgam fillings represent a significant yet often overlooked source of mercury. According to recent research, adults with more than eight amalgam fillings have 150 percent more mercury in their blood compared to those without any fillings. This startling discovery underscores the need for a closer examination of the materials used in dental restorations.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE FINDINGS

The University of Georgia study analyzed data from over 14,000 patients, exploring the relationship between amalgam fillings and various types of mercury in the body, including total mercury, inorganic mercury, and the highly toxic methyl mercury. The findings revealed a direct correlation between the number of amalgam fillings and increased mercury levels in the blood. Notably, methyl mercury was found to be harmful even at low levels, posing a significant risk to overall health.

Dr. Xiaozhong (John) Yu, co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding mercury’s toxic effects, stating, “As toxicologists, we know that mercury is poison, but it all depends on the dose. So, if you have one dental filling, maybe it’s OK. But if you have more than eight dental fillings, the potential risk for adverse effects is higher.”

THE PREVALENCE OF AMALGAM FILLINGS 

The use of amalgam fillings is widespread. In the United Kingdom, a dental health survey found that 90 percent of adults and two-thirds of young adults aged 16-24 have at least one filling, with an average of seven fillings per adult. In the United States, the average American has three dental fillings, with a quarter of the population having 11 or more. Given these statistics, the potential for widespread mercury exposure is significant.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

The revelations about mercury in amalgam fillings raise an important question: Should you rush to your dentist to have them removed? The answer requires careful consideration. Removing amalgam fillings can itself be a source of mercury exposure if not done correctly. Therefore, it is crucial to seek out a dentist who is not only mercury-free but also mercury-safe.

The Holistic Dental Center of NJ is one of the few practices accredited by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT). They follow stringent protocols to ensure the safe removal of amalgam fillings, minimizing the risk of mercury exposure to their patients. “Being mercury-free and mercury-safe are two different things. Don’t be fooled by anyone who advertises mercury-free dentistry; it doesn’t mean that they are also mercury-safe,” says the team at the Holistic Dental Center of NJ. The most significant exposure to mercury vapors occurs when fillings are placed or removed. Therefore, it is vital to choose a dental center that takes the necessary precautions to protect your health during the removal process.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP TOWARDS HOLISTIC DENTAL HEALTH

For those concerned about the dangers of mercury exposure from amalgam fillings, the Holistic Dental Center of NJ offers a safe and effective solution. As an accredited member of the IAOMT, the Holistic Dental Center ensures that you will be protected from mercury exposure during the removal of your fillings. Their holistic approach to dentistry focuses not just on removing mercury but also on safeguarding your overall health.

To encourage you to take the first step towards a healthier mouth, we are offering a special promotion:

Accept Mercury Removal Treatment

and Get a Starter Detox Package Free!

Exclusions Apply. Call For Details.

Don’t let the hidden dangers of amalgam fillings compromise your health. Call the Holistic Dental Center of NJ for your amalgam removal consultation and begin your journey to a mercury-safe smile today.

Location:  91 Millburn Ave, Milburn. For information and to schedule an appointment, call 973-457-4688, and visit HolisticDentalCenterNJ.comSee ad, page 3. 
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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