Dental Mercury Facts: Here’s why to know them

Dental Mercury Facts - Saliva around teeth in mouth with silver-colored fillings, also known as dental amalgams and mercury fillings

Dental amalgams, often called silver fillings, contain about 50% mercury.

Dental amalgam fillings, which are made with a mixture of mercury, silver, copper, tin, and sometimes zinc, are still used in the United States and a number of other countries. Often called “silver fillings,” all dental amalgams are 45-55% elemental mercury.  Mercury is toxic, and this poison is recognized as a chemical of major concern because it poses a dangerous threat to public health.  Mercury accumulates in the body, and any amount of mercury taken into the body should be considered hazardous.

The use of mercury in dental amalgam fillings poses serious risks to human health, and dental mercury released into the environment can cause long-lasting damage to wildlife.  The IAOMT is dedicated to sharing dental mercury facts so that professionals and consumers can recognize the threats of amalgam fillings.

Learn the Essential Dental Mercury Facts

Learn the most essential dental mercury facts by using these resources from the IAOMT:

Dental amalgam mercury pollution harms the environment

Dental amalgam mercury pollution causes harms the environment because of the use of silver fillings.

Tooth in mouth with saliva and silver-colored dental amalgam filling containing mercury
Dental Amalgam Danger: Mercury Fillings and Human Health

Dental amalgam danger exists because mercury fillings are associated with a number of human health risks.

Mercury Poisoning Symptoms and Dental Amalgam Fillings

Dental amalgam mercury fillings continuously release vapor and can produce an array of mercury poisoning symptoms.

Sick patient in bed with doctor discussing reactions and side effects due to mercury toxicity
Mercury Fillings: Dental Amalgam Side Effects and Reactions

Reactions to and side effects of dental amalgam mercury fillings are based on a number of individualized risk factors.

Metallic mercury spill, Hg chemical
Questioning Dental Amalgam Safety: Myth and Truth

Recognizing the myth and truth about alleged dental amalgam safety helps to demonstrate harm from mercury fillings.

A Comprehensive Review of the Effects Of Mercury in Dental Amalgam Fillings

This detailed 34-page review from the IAOMT includes research about risks to human health and environment from mercury in dental amalgam fillings.

Dental Amalgam Mercury and Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Summary and References

Science has linked mercury as a potential risk factor in multiple sclerosis (MS), and research on this topic includes dental amalgam mercury fillings.

Understanding Risk Assessment for Dental Amalgam Mercury

The subject of risk assessment is essential in the debate over whether dental amalgam mercury is safe for unrestricted use or not.

IAOMT Position Paper against Dental Mercury Amalgam

This thorough document includes an extensive bibliography on the subject of dental mercury in the form of over 900 citations.

Take Action against Dental Amalgam Mercury Fillings

Take action against dental amalgam mercury including educating yourself and getting involved in organized efforts to end its use.

Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal

The IAOMT has created a protocol of safety measures that can mitigate mercury releases during amalgam removal.

Alternatives to Mercury Amalgam Fillings

There are many alternatives to mercury amalgam fillings, but biocompatibility should be considered when selecting a material.

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