So when I was younger, I ate horribly. I was a sugar addict. To prove it, I had about 8 fillings (many of which I lost with my baby teeth). In January, I will be getting my one little amalgam filling replaced. I’ve been wanting to have it done but was recently told by my dentist that it was ‘cracking’ and needed to be replaced, which was music to my ears (hey, it’s considered a necessity now— so, insurance coverage!) So although it feels oddly intimate showing you a picture of my tooth (not sure why), I am excited to share this journey with you.

If you have amalgam fillings, then every time you eat, chew, grind your teeth, visit the dentist, or drink hot coffee, mercury vapors are released and inhaled.

Amalgam fillings contain up to 50% mercury along with a combination of silver, tin, and copper. They were once touted as “being safe”, that the mercury was stable, or safely “locked” into the amalgam mixture — even though it was not possible to prove it. Studies have since found that mercury vapor is released every time we consume something acidic, hot, or even just from the friction from chewing. The amount of mercury vapor, which is particularly poisonous, that is released varies from 1- 3 ug/day (micrograms/day), at the low estimation, up to 27 ug/day. As a frame of reference, the EPA established their “safe guidelines” at 6 ug/day for someone at 150 pounds. (Although we know better than that. There is no safe limit of mercury in the body). Of course, this number can rack up the more fillings a persons has. Supposedly the average person has 8 amalgam fillings, which means they could have upwards to 216 ug/day released! And the older the filling is, the more mercury likely released. (Mine is roughly 15-20 years old). Mercury is a powerful neurotoxin and, at certain levels, can cause neurological issues, autoimmune disease, chronic illnesses, and mental disorders. Some dentist still use amalgam fillings today!

The highest amount of mercury exposure from amalgam fillings occurs when they are placed and also when they are removed from our mouths. If you decide you want yours removed, find a dentist who follows proper guidelines (provided by the IAOMT) for safe removal. I myself will be going to Dr. Stacey Cole in Fort Worth and will be tailoring myself a detoxification regimen that includes a variety of antioxidants, detox baths, liver support, and adrenal support both before and after replacement.

If you’re intrigued to learn more about amalgam fillings, check out these awesome videos:
https://youtu.be/9ylnQ-T7oiA
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/toxic-teeth-are-mercury-fillings-making-you-sick-pt-1

Sources:
http://www.positivehealth.com/article/dentistry/selenium-and-mercury-detoxification
http://www.vaccinationnews.org/Scandals/Feb_15_02/allowable_mercury_limits.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096006/ (no safe level of mercury in the body)
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/mercury-how-much-safe
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/07/29/dangers-amalgam-fillings.aspx
https://iaomt.org/safe-removal-amalgam-fillings/
http://www.positivehealth.com/article/dentistry/selenium-and-mercury-detoxification