Mercury-free dentistry is a viable option for those concerned about the use of amalgam in dental fillings.
Amalgam, though used less often than it once was in the past, is still a common material used to fill cavities. It consists of a combination of metals that include mercury.
Mercury is used because it makes the mixture easy to manipulate and press into the tooth while still being able to harden quickly. However, some people have concerns regarding mercury’s effect on their health.
If you are concerned about your health, then mercury-free dentistry may be a suitable choice for you.
Keep reading to see seven benefits of choosing this form of dentistry.
Amalgam exposes dental professionals to mercury in the workplace. Mercury exposure can lead to some neurological and health problems. A person’s symptoms depend a great deal on the length of exposure, their age and their overall health. Most importantly, the largest factor is the amount of mercury they encounter.
A mercury-free dental facility creates a healthy working environment and holds true to the medical professional’s calling to do no harm.
It is common knowledge that what an expectant mom eats or drinks can affect the baby. Any encounters with chemicals can also have an impact on the child.
Fillings with mercury may pose a risk to a developing infant. A study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that mercury fillings could play a role in the perinatal death. Even after accounting for other harmful habits like smoking and drinking, a link between mercury fillings and infant death remained.
Mercury is toxic. Using it in fillings is an unsafe practice that should end. It can have effects on the immune, urinary, cardiac, respiratory and digestive systems.
Mercury can easily vaporize at room temperature and is odorless, tasteless and colorless. This leaves the patient and dentist unaware that it is being absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
If you have a metal crown or filling, it will be quite noticeable when you smile or speak with others.
With mercury-free options, you can fill a cavity or protect a broken tooth with a restoration that blends in with your smile. A dentist can examine your teeth to color-match your restoration.
Mercury can find its way into the water system easily. After a day of working with amalgam, a dental office may unknowingly send mercury out with the water leaving the office. It then pollutes the environment, contaminating public water sources. Removing it from dental procedures is one step closer to a healthier world.
Evidence indicates that mercury exposure may lead to seizures, fibromyalgia, lupus, allergies and multiple sclerosis. It only takes seven fillings to reach a toxic level of mercury in your mouth.
Composite dental fillings give great flexibility because they mimic the natural tooth. They help to strengthen a damaged tooth.
Amalgam fillings may break or shrink after a few years of use. Not only can this damage the tooth, but it can also allow bacteria to enter the cavity.
The research around using mercury in dental fillings is complex. Even if you are opting for mercury-free dentistry, it may be unnecessary to remove previous amalgam fillings.
By attempting to remove good fillings, the dentist can damage the healthy sections of the tooth. Also, the chances of releasing mercury into your system are greater than if you just leave your metal fillings in place.
Schedule a consultation with our office to start experiencing the benefits of mercury-free dentistry.
Request an appointment here: https://whiteflintfamilydental.com or call White Flint Family Dental at (301) 273-1085 for an appointment in our Rockville office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Oral health is important to one’s overall health. A family dentist can provide regular dental checkups, teeth cleanings, and restorative and preventive dental treatments. With such a broad range of services, patients tend to have many questions about family dentistry. In this article, we will answer the most frequently asked questions we hear at our…
Having a dental emergency can be a very stressful experience, and emergency orthodontics can be even more worrisome. But what exactly constitutes an emergency when it comes to orthodontic care? We will explore what requires an emergency orthodontics visit and the best ways to prevent and treat them. With information, you can be prepared in…
You can get specific procedures from your family dentist. This dental care provider knows your dental health history. The relationship you have can make each treatment or checkup easier and more pleasant. Here are the common procedures that you can get from your family dentist.A family dentist can perform this non-invasive treatment. Over-the-counter teeth whitening…
Taking care of your family's dental health is important to help maintain your and your children's overall health and well-being. Regular visits to a family dentist can help identify and treat dental problems before they become more serious and require more intensive care. However, finding the right family dentist can be daunting, especially if you…
Oral health is important to one’s overall health. A family dentist can provide regular dental checkups, teeth cleanings, and restorative and preventive dental treatments. With such a broad range of services, patients tend to have many questions about family dentistry. In this article, we will answer the most frequently asked questions we hear at our…
Having a dental emergency can be a very stressful experience, and emergency orthodontics can be even more worrisome. But what exactly constitutes an emergency when it comes to orthodontic care? We will explore what requires an emergency orthodontics visit and the best ways to prevent and treat them. With information, you can be prepared in…