According to Dr. Paul Gilbert, graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and long time Master practitioner of the Academy of General Dentistry, "Mercury is the most toxic, non-radioactive substance on earth surpassed only by ...plutonium." Amalgam dental fillings containing mercury were introduced to the dental community in the United States in 1833. Their composition is comprised of 50 percent liquid mercury plus other metals and sliver. Amalgam fillings are still made from mercury because it allows them to be pliable and hardens easily remaining durable over time.
The side effects from exposure to mercury are those which mirror side effects to mercury poisoning and the list is long. Recovering from mercury toxicity is a tedious, costly and difficult process according to expert mercury removal dentist Hal Huggins. Read about some of the myriad side effects associated with mercury toxicity acquired from even the lowest exposure to dental amalgams.
Oral
Oral galvanism is an allergic reaction where the fillings have become like a battery after exposure to saliva and an electric current is released. The person feels shocks in the teeth and throughout the mouth when other metals are introduced like utensils. Other ailments that have a relationship to mercury are gingivitis, periodontal disease, multiple root canals and tooth loss.
Neurological
Dr. Gilbert of Healthy Teeth and Gums points out the numerous neurological diseases, far too many to list here, however several well known disorders related to brain and nerve dysfunctions as a result to exposure to mercury are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Lou Gehrig's disease, learning disabilities, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, autism, memory loss and Myasthenia gravis.
Reproductive
Various reproductive disorders are associated with mercury poisoning and mercury allergies, such as problems with conceiving, numerous birth defects, problematic menopause, miscarriage, infertility, PMS and hot flashes.
Mental
According to Dr. Hal Huggins, psychological disorders that are associated with exposure to mercury include borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, insanity of all kinds, desire to kill, Schizophrenia, panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Enzymatic/Hormonal
Dr. Gilbert continues to add to the list of mercury related disorder with endocrine disorders, leaky gut syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Grave's disease, ulcerative colitis, Chron's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, auto immune diseases, lupus, psoriasis and environmental sensitivities.
Respiratory, Vision and Others
The entire system is affected by exposure to mercury including the respiratory organs with asthma, emphysema, COPD; vision and eyes being affected with near and farsightedness, eye floaters and glaucoma; and all forms of cancer and heart disease have been reported.
Diagnosis and Recovery
Mercury collects in certain bodily tissues and does not remain in the blood making mercury poisoning difficult to confirm. Healthcare consultant, Andrew Cutler, Ph.D from Seattle notes that many tests used by hospitals to check for mercury in the system show a negative result even when a person has significant mercury symptoms. For an accurate diagnosis of mercury toxicity, a trained healthcare practitioner who is familiar with the various disease symptoms is the best resource for patients who suspect mercury toxicity.
Recovery from the side effects of mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings is often very difficult. Treatments are available starting with removal of mercury amalgams and chelation therapy, which is done after removing the fillings.
