Amalgam Poisoning

Amalgam poisoning refers to the toxic effects of mercury used in amalgam dental fillings. When one's tooth decays, then depending upon the extent of the damage various treatment options are available. One of the tooth decay treatment options is to remove the decayed part of the tooth and fill it with some filling material. One of the filling materials used is amalgam, which is a mixture of a number of metals. It is 50% mercury along with other metals like copper, zinc, tin and also silver in very small amounts.

The Controversy
Poisoning due to other metals are also reported but what makes mercury poisoning worth more caution, is that other than causing the usual digestive problems, it also affects one's neurological health. This means that the symptoms will include emotional and psychological issues as well. But is such kind of poisoning a truth or a mere supposition? Although pro-dental amalgam bodies swear that mercury used in amalgam fillings are safe, there is a growing evidence of dental poisoning being caused due to the mercury slowly leaking from tooth filling and entering the body. While proponents of amalgam dental fillings say that mercury is locked safely in the metal bonds in the tooth, critics say that it is from the tooth filling itself that the metal keeps leaking into the body. Nevertheless, this process is quite slow and takes years to show its effects. Mercury is non-radioactive but it is a highly poisonous metal and as it enters the body, it affects our health negatively.

The Symptoms
Despite the dental poisoning controversy, there are certain common conditions that are observed in those who are using dental amalgam and these are attributed to being the poisoning symptoms. Some of the mercury poisoning symptoms due to dental amalgam are:

• Psychological Problems: Irritability, memory loss, depression, anxiety, insomnia, inability to concentrate, negative effect on one's intellect.
• Gastrointestinal Problems: Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, colitis.
• Neurological Problems: Frequent or chronic headaches, dizziness, loss of control over voluntary movement of limbs.
• Cardiovascular Problems: Changes in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and pulse, pain or a feeling of heaviness in chest.
• Respiratory Problems: Shortness of breath, shallow breathing, chest congestion, asthma and bronchitis.

Besides these, it is also believed to cause allergies, bleeding or inflammation of the gum, metallic taste in the mouth, mouth ulcers and inflammation, sore throat, vision problem and excess water retention in the body. Other than these symptoms, what raises concern about amalgam is the fact that mercury weakens our immune system. This in turn makes one more prone to other diseases. Also there is evidence about mercury poisoning being associated with Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.

The Treatment
It can be treated by amalgam chelation. Chelation is a process by which a chemical agent binds with a metal that prevents the poisonous metal from interacting, that would cause harm to the body. As a result of the binding, a chemical compound is formed that can be eliminated through the natural excretory processes of the body. However, while using the chelating agent, it is possible that some useful elements may also be lost. Hence, proper nutrition during this detoxification process is also important. Therefore amalgam chelation should always be medically supervised.

Having proper nutrition is an important aspect of the treatment. Fresh fruits and vegetables which are rich sources of vitamins, minerals and fibers are believed to be most useful during the treatment. Removal of the dental amalgam filling is the last step of the treatment.

The controversy about amalgam poisoning still rages on. Nevertheless, proof of poisonous effects of mercury in amalgam fillings is increasing by the day. However, many dentists use amalgam poisoning as a reason to push their patients for more expensive fillings. Hence, one needs to be sure that he is seeing the correct health care professional who would give him the right advise.