Considering the Safety of Mercury Fillings
Dr. Travis Stork: Do you worry about the type of fillings that your dentist is using the next time you need to fill a cavity? Well, Liz Vaccariello, Editor-In-Chief of Prevention Magazine is here with a common Health Hearsay question, “Are dental fillings that contain mercury dangerous?”
Liz Vaccariello: Probably not. Almost every major U.S. Health Organization has come out and said mercury fillings are not dangerous. There is no proof but there is certainly controversy that is continued.
Dr. Travis Stork: So, mercury is one of the so-called “silver fillings” that amalgams are used, others are tin, silver, mercury and of course, the concern is that whenever you need to remove these fillings or you are chewing, small amount of mercury vapors can be emitted from these fillings, so there is that theoretical concern that people at.
Liz Vaccariello: Right. And the American Dental Association has said, if you have this concern, having you mercury removed from your mouth is going to release more vapors than keeping them in. So, do not remove them but every 10 to 15 years, we have to get our fillings replaced anyway. So, if that is the case, have them replaced with a resin composite or gold, do not put mercury back in.
Dr. Travis Stork: So, for those of us that have mercury in our mouth, I think I have few. I am okay.
Liz Vaccariello: You’re okay.
Dr. Travis Stork: Well, thank you so much.
For more information on fillings and what’s safe, what’s not safe, go to TheDoctorsTV.com or another great idea, pick up a copy of Prevention Magazine.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services