This footage from the 2010 FDA Dental Products Panel Hearing on dental amalgam mercury shows professionals and patients discussing the human health risks related to mercury as a result of so-called “silver fillings.”
Dental Amalgam Danger: Mercury Fillings and Human Health
All dental amalgam mercury fillings contain about 50% mercury and can pose a danger to human health.
All silver-colored fillings are dental amalgam fillings, and each of these fillings is approximately 50% mercury. Although a number of other countries have banned or limited their use, dental mercury amalgams are still being used in many regions of the world, including in the USA.
Mercury is continuously emitted from dental amalgam fillings, and it is absorbed and retained in the body, particularly in the brain, kidney, liver, lung, and gastrointestinal tract. The output of mercury can be intensified by the number of fillings and other activities, such as chewing, teeth-grinding, and the consumption of hot liquids. Mercury is also known to be released during the placement, replacement, and removal of dental mercury amalgam fillings.
Dental Amalgam Danger: Human Health Risks Linked to Mercury Fillings
Dental mercury and its vapor have been scientifically linked to a number of health risks which demonstrate the danger of dental amalgam mercury fillings. Individual response to mercury varies, and some of the factors known to potentially impact those exposed to mercury include their allergies, diet, gender, genetic predispositions to adverse reactions from mercury, the number of amalgam fillings in the mouth, and concurrent or previous exposures to other toxic chemicals such as lead (Pb). Scientific studies have identified dental mercury as a potentially causational or exacerbating factor in the conditions included on this table:
| Allergies, especially to mercury | Alzheimer's disease | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease) |
| Antiobiotic resistance | Autism spectrum disorders | Autoimmune disorders/immunodeficiency |
| Cardiovascular problems | Chronic fatigue syndrome | Complaints of unclear causation |
| Hearing loss | Kidney disease | Micromercurialism |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Oral lichenoid reaction and oral lichen planus | Parkinson's disease |
| Periodontal disease | Psychological issues such as depression and anxiety | Reproductive dysfunction |
| Suicidal ideations | Symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning | Thyroditis |
Pregnant women and children are known to be susceptible populations to the danger of mercury from amalgam fillings, and researchers have also demonstrated danger to dentists and dental personnel who routinely work with dental amalgam mercury fillings.
In September 2020, the FDA advised that the following groups avoid getting dental amalgam whenever possible and appropriate: pregnant women and their developing fetuses; women who are planning to become pregnant; nursing women and their newborns and infants; children, especially those younger than six years of age; people with pre-existing neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease; people with impaired kidney function; and people with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.
Steps to Reduce Dental Amalgam Danger
Whereas “mercury-free” dentists no longer place amalgam fillings and use available alternatives, “mercury-safe” dentists apply special techniques to remove existing amalgam fillings. In fact, the IAOMT has developed rigorous recommendations for removing existing dental mercury amalgam fillings to assist in mitigating the potential danger of mercury exposure to patients, dental professionals, dental students, office staff, and others.
Dental Mercury Article Authors
Dr. David Kennedy practiced dentistry for over 30 years and retired from clinical practice in 2000. He is the Past President of the IAOMT and has lectured to dentists and other health professionals all over the world on the subjects of preventive dental health, mercury toxicity, and fluoride. Dr. Kennedy is recognized around the world as an advocate for safe drinking water, biological dentistry and is a recognized leader in the field of preventive dentistry. Dr. Kennedy is an accomplished author and director of the award-winning documentary film Fluoridegate.
Dr. Griffin Cole, MIAOMT received his Mastership in the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology in 2013 and drafted the Academy’s Fluoridation Brochure and the official Scientific Review on Ozone use in root canal therapy. He is a past President of the IAOMT and serves on the Board of Directors, the Mentor Committee, the Fluoride Committee, the Conference Committee and is the Fundamentals Course Director.
