An often overlooked, but extremely important source of toxic material is the mercury from silver [mercury] amalgam fillings. Some people who are aware of the situation are confused by the mixture of information available. Since the symptoms are similar to those of many other disorders, many patients may not know that they are affected by mercury poisoning from their amalgams.  No one should have silver fillings in their mouth, particularly children.

For the last 150+ years, the ADA (American Dental Association) asserts tha the mercury in amalgam is safe and does not leak. However, no clinical studies were ever done and the FDA approved amalgam under the "grandfather clause". Subsequent studies turned up damning evidence to show that this not true. Yet, the ADA & FDA continues to assert the safety of amalgams to this day.

Over ten years ago the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine published an editorial calling mercury fillings the chief source of mercury exposure to the US population.

Here are a few facts about mercury amalgam fillings:

Causes Damage to Brain in Children
In February, 1998, a group of the world's top mercury researchers announced that mercury from amalgam fillings can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and immune system of children.

Linked to Neurological Problems, Gastrointestinal Problems
The first large-scale epidemiological study of mercury showed that of the symptoms looked at, there was a link to gastrointestinal problems, sleep disturbances, concentration problems, memory disturbances, lack of initiative, restlessness, bleeding gums and other mouth disorders.

Mercury / Alzheimer's Disease Connection Found
A study by a team of scientists where rats were exposed to levels of mercury vapor diluted to account for size differences between humans and rats. The rats developed tissue damage "indistinguishable" from that of Alzheimer's Disease. Repeating the experiment showed the same results.

Amalgam Fillings Unstable Since 1970's
Instead of abolishing amalgams altogether, The type of mercury fillings that have been used during the last couple of decades, non-gamma-2 (high copper), releases many times more toxic mercury than the older style of amalgam fillings.

Amalgam Fillings Release Highly Toxic Elemental Mercury
Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known. The mercury released from fillings is absorbed as highly toxic elemental mercury vapor.

Amalgam Fillings Largest Source of Mercury By Far
The World Health Organization review of inorganic mercury in 1991 determined that mercury absorption is estimated to be about four times higher from amalgam fillings than from fish consumption. This was confirmed by recent studies.

Gold Crowns, Chewing, Computer Monitors Increase Release of Mercury Significantly
Gum chewing, teeth grinding (bruxism), computer terminal exposure, gold fillings/crowns, dissimilar metals in the mouth, teeth brushing, exposure to magnetic fields,braces, and chewing cause the release of significantly increased amounts of mercury from the fillings.

Cumulative Poison and Builds Up in Organs
Mercury released from fillings builds up in the brain, pituitary, adrenals, and other parts of the body over time.

Potential Contributory Factor in Other Diseases
Mercury from amalgam fillings has been implicated as a possible contributary factor in Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, IBS, reproductive disorders, allergies, and a variety of other illnesses.

Mercury Build Up in Brain, Organs and Breast Milk of Fetuses of Mothers With Amalgam Fillings
Mercury from amalgam fillings in pregnant women has been shown to accumulate mercury in brain, kidneys and liver of human fetuses (all of the areas tested). Mercury can be passed to infants from the mother's breast milk.

Proper Removal of Fillings Produces Eventual Health Improvement
A study published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine related to the proper removal of mercury amalgam fillings from 118 subjects showed an elimination or reduction or 80% of the classic mercury poisoning symptoms. In many cases, it took 6 to 12 months after mercury amalgam removal for the symptoms to disappear.

World-reknowned Experts Agree About Potential Danger
In contrast to statements from dental trade organizations, toxicologists and medical researchers are quite concerned about the use of mercury. Lars Friberg, the lead toxicologist on the World Health Organization team looking at inorganic mercury and health effects stated that he believes that mercury is unsuitable for dental materials because of safety concerns.

Canadian Class Action Lawsuit
Canadians are in the process of beginning a major class action lawsuit based on the fact that the government knew of, but gave no warning to the public about mercury dangers from amalgam fillings. Legal actions related to mercury exposure from mercury amalgam fillings and vaccines are beginning in the United States.

**Caution:  Mercury amalgam fillings should be removed only by dentists with experience using the IOAMT mercury amalgam removal protocol.  Such dentists are often experienced with proper evaluation and placement of composite fillings, both of which can be crucial for the success of the treatment. Biocompatability tests are important in determining the best material compatible with each individual. They are not without safety questions, but are still likely to be much less toxic than mercury amalgam fillings.