If you are a child of the 60s or 70s, it is very likely that you have mercury fillings somewhere in your mouth. Until the late 1970s, most dentists thought that because mercury was in a mixture of other metals and it was present in such a small quantity, it wouldn't be a problem. However, some people have had a bad reaction to mercury in their fillings. If you have mercury fillings, here's a quick check on whether or not you should get them replaced.
Why Is Mercury A Problem?
Dental amalgam fillings were the standard for decades for use in fillings. The amalgam was a mixture of mercury, copper, silver, tin, and zinc. As long as the mercury stayed encased in the metal, people didn't experience any problems with their fillings. However, if the fillings become cracked, and the mercury becomes a vapor, there have been people who have experienced higher levels of mercury in their blood or urine- but not at an unsafe level.
Mercury is toxic in higher doses, but the dental amalgam fillings didn't have a lot of mercury in them, to begin with. In general, your risk of mercury exposure is extremely low. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration says there is no concrete evidence that amalgam fillings represent a hazard at all.
What Should I Do?
There are some people who may want to think about getting their amalgam fillings replaced, such as women who are of childbirth age and are considering a pregnancy. If you are allergic to mercury, have kidney disease, or have a neurological illness such as MS, you should speak with a dentist. A dentist can have a look at your amalgam fillings and determine if they should be replaced. The good news is that today's dental fillings don't contain mercury, and they are white, so they match your teeth.
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If you are a child of the 60s or 70s, it is very likely that you have mercury fillings somewhere in your mouth. Until the late 1970s, most dentists thought that because mercury was in a mixture of other metals and it was present in such a small quantity, it wouldn't be a problem. However, some people have had a bad reaction to mercury in their fillings. If you have mercury fillings, here's a quick check on whether or not you should get them replaced.