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Filling you in on amalgam.

One of the more troublesome medical controversies that flare up on occasion concerns the safety of amalgam fillings used in dentistry. Some dentists-a small but vocal minority-assert that there is a clear and present danger in mercury, which comprises about 50% of each filling (the other half consisting of silver and other metals). The mercury allows the amalgam to flow smoothly into the dental cavity, adhere to it tightly, and harden to a consistency that resists abrasion.

Anti-amalgam proponents claim that many diseases-including multiple sclerosis-are caused or exacerbated by the mercury, and that replacement of the amalgam by other materials may lead to remission or cure. The Medical Advisory Board of the Society, after reviewing the subject, has concluded that there is absolutely no evidence that mercury amalgam fillings have any connection with MS or that their replacement would help patients with the disease. This conclusion is affirmed in Therapeutic Claims in MS, 1988 (Demos Publications).

And early this spring the Food and Drug Administration's Dental Devices Panel convened to review animal research and human case reports dealing with the possible hazards of amalgam fillings. The panel concluded that none of the data showed a hazard to humans, but it agreed that the studies raised questions that warrant further research. A special working group was established to identify the kinds of studies needed. The FDA said it does not advocate removal of amalgam fillings.

But the anti-amalgam proponents-lay people and some dentists-continue their campaign. They allege the mercury in the fillings contributes not only to MS but to Parkinson's disease, manic-depressive disorders, schizophrenia, and a variety of immune system diseases. These individuals insist that people with any suggestive symptoms should have their fillings replaced with porcelain, composite resins or gold-all much more expensive than amalgam. And there are dentists prepared to do the job. Most of the dental community is against removal, pointing out that amalgam fillings have been used safely for ccnturies and that replacing them for "medical" reasons would be unethical. The American Dental Association (ADA), the largest and oldest organization of dentists, said last December, "There has been considerable scientific study of amalgam and no documented evidence to support the contention that amalgam, or the mercury contained in amalgam, has any deleterious effect on the health or physical wellbeing of the millions of patients served throughout the world."

Late last year things came to a head when CBS's "60 minutes" aired a December 16 segment dealing with the controversy which seemed to be heavily biased in favor of amalgam removal. Correspondent Morley Safer opened the program by asking, "Is there poison in your mouth? The American Dental Association says there isn't, but some members say there is and have stopped using it."

Safer went on to claim that the mercury in the fillings is "more poisonous than lead or even arsenic," and listed Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, colitis, kidney and brain damage, birth defects, and symptoms of multiple sclerosis as conditions purportedly linked to mercury poisoning. He did acknowledge that no specific disease has been tied directly to the mercury in the fillings. Then he introduced four patients with chronic diseases - one with MS - who had experienced "miraculous" recoveries by having their amalgam fillings replaced with other materials.

Telephone switchboards around the country buzzed with calls from MS patients to their dentists, demanding more information about amalgam fillings. The Society itself was flooded with calls from people who were led by the show to believe that their condition could be improved by a dental process that was simple and speedy-though very expensive.

Part of the recent interest in this controversy stemmed from a scientific paper on the experimental use of amalgam fillings in the teeth of sheep. In the study, dental researchers at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada placed 12 amalgam fillings in the mouths of each of six ewes. Calgary researcher Murray Vimy reported that mercury from the fillings traveled throughout the sheeps' bodies, and in pregnant sheep into the fetuses; moreover, he said, within two months all the sheep experienced a loss of kidney function 16% to 80%), whereas animals that had been given chemically inert fillings showed no change in kidney function. ADA spokesman R. Heber Simmons Jr., a pediatric dentist from Jackson, Miss., was given some time on "60 Minutes" to discuss the Calgary study. At the time the results were published, he said, the AMA convened a board of experts in kidney function, a statistician, two toxicologists-and a veterinarian. All found serious flaws in the work.

Dr. Simmons pointed out that sheep are poor animals to use for such a study. They are ruminants, which regurgitate food and acid from their stomachs and chew on the cud for up to eight hours a day. No one had checked the mercury content of their food-an important factor, since most mercury in tissues comes from dietary sources. Even the kidney function measurement was faulty, according to ADA president Eugene J. Truono; he noted that if kidney function had been cut by 50%, then blood urea should have been elevated, not decreased, as the authors reported. An analysis of the "60 Minutes" segment by Accuracy in Media Inc., a Washington-based news media watchdog organization, revealed that the program had been heavily in favor of anti-amalgam proponents, with seven persons speaking against the use of amalgam fillings and one ADA spokesman, Dr. Simmons, speaking in behalf of their safety.

Concerned with the effect that such unbalanced reporting has on viewers with multiple sclerosis, Society Vice President, Research and Medical Programs, Stephen Reingold sent a letter to CBS expressing the Society's dissatisfaction with the program's "slanted perspective on this controversial subject." (The letter was copied to all Society chapters on December 19.) Better balance could have been achieved, wrote Dr. Reingold, if the program had included interviews with a Society representative, a neurologist experienced in managing people with MS, and one or more people with MS who derived no benefit from removal of amalgam fillings. (Such persons are not difficult to find.) Other telling points were made:

* MS is characterized by spontaneous relapses and remissions that may last for several months or years.

A Placebo effect" emerges when a patient is searching for a remedy and finds solace in any therapeutic modality promising benefit.



Dental professionals who use amalgam all the time have no greater incidence of MS than the general population does.

* Tens of millions of people with amalgam fillings do not have MS, and by the same token some people with MS do not have amalgam fillings.

Dr. Reingold finally said, "While we favor careful exploration of controversial issues such as [these], we consider it your obligation as well as ours to present the complete story so that those with MS can be armed with the facts when they hear about any therapeutic claim." CBS officials to this day maintain that the Safer report was a fair and accurate presentation.

What is this mercury in amalgam fillings, and how dangerous is it to people? It is elemental or inorganic mercury (as opposed to organic, which is found in paints, fungicides, seeds, foods, medicines and cosmetics), and it is used for thermometers, blood pressure devices, and dental amalgams.

Mercury toxicity is usually linked to industrial exposure, due to inhalation of mercury vapor, which may cause inflammation of large and small airways and can lead to interstitial pneumonitis, a respiratory disorder.

When exposed to high mercury levels for long periods, employees in thermometer factories have suffered tremors, confusion, vision and speech problems, and inflamed gums. These symptoms, even though they are of nervous system origin, are not indicators of MS.

When mercury vapor is taken up rapidly into the central nervous system it produces tremor and increased excitability, as was seen in the felt hat industry in the 19th century. Civil War army hats were manufactured with mercury in Danbury, Connecticut; hatmakers developed tremors that came to be known as the "Danbury shakes." In Britain hatmakers afflicted with similar tremors accompanied by emotional instability were the inspiration for Lewis Carroll's Mad Hatter.

Mercury toxicity in the home is rare.

Even when mercury is accidentally released into the bloodstream by breakage of prosthodontist Elizabeth a rectal thermometer, for example, there are no reported adverse effects.

But it is the inhalation of mercury vapor released by chewing that has the anti-amaigam proponents exercised. They cite autopsy data showing that mercury levels in the brain are about twice as high in people who have had amalgam fillings for many years as in people with no fillings. This may sound alarming, but consider:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set guidelines for the maximum safe occupational dose of mercury at 300 to 500 micrograms per day. It is estimated that people with moderate to large numbers of fillings are exposed through chewing to barely I to 3 micrograms of mercury vapor daily, or 1% of the dose considered borderline dangerous.

No harmful effects have been reported on patients or dentists since 600 A.D., when tin-mercury dental fillings were first used in China. There have been some objections to the use of amalgam; for instance, in 1926 a German chemist named A. Slock published several critical articles. This led to the establishment of an investigative commission which in 1930 gave a clean bill to amalgams, supporting their safety and recommending their use.

The average person not working near mercury gets more exposure to the element from tainted air, certain kinds of fish (tuna and swordfish), and water. OSHA officials say- that people are exposed to about 30 micrograms a day; 10 from the atmosphere, 10 from food, and 10 from other sources. Antiamalgam proponents say that people with amalgam fillings are exposed to another 10 micrograms each day; the ADA, however, states the levels are probably 1.5 micrograms per day.

If mercury from amalgam fillings caused any disease, chances are that dentists and dental assistants who work with amalgam every day would be affected. An ADA survey of 1,000 dentists showed no correlation between measure of kidney function and urine mercury concentrations, which were used as indicators of mercury exposure.

"Dentists receive far more mercury exposure than patients, and place hundreds of thousands of amalgams annually," observes ADA president Eugene Truono. "If there were a problem with mercury exposure you would expect it to Show up in dentists, and yet dentists do not suffer from any adverse health effects as a result."

The only documented health effect of amalgam over the years is mercury allergy, which affects fewer than one in a million people. They develop either local or general skin reactions which usually subside within two or three weeks.

Anti-amalgam dentists use a variety of screening mechanisms to determine mercury levels, including a symptom questionnaire, an electrical corrosion reader, skin patch test, and mercury level analyses. In the journal Operative Dentistry, Vol. 13, 1988, Woodhaven, N.Y. dentist John E. Dodes questioned the scientific methodology of all these mechanisms.

He concluded, "The review of the literature on amalgam fillings and mercury establishes the safety and continued usefulness of silver-amalgam fillings. In critically evaluating some of the theories, diagnostic tests, and treatments promoted by the anti-amalgam fringe, I have found a lack of any valid, scientifically sound data to support the contention that amalgam is dangerous, much less that it causes serious disease."

In emphatic agreement is Dr. Alvin Jacobs, a New York dentist who has been using amalgam fillings for 34 years. He says he has never seen one case of mercury illness or allergy caused by the fillings.

"Some of my patients asked about having amalgams removed after the '60 minutes' program," he told INSIDE MS. But I told them it was not advisable. Not only would it be useless but they might risk damaging healthy tooth structure or injuring a nerve in the process. I also tell my patients I have amalgam fillings in my own mouth, some of them recent replacements of originals. I have complete faith in them."

- Phyllis Shaw

Science Editor

Top Oral Health Advice To Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Are you wishing you had more knowledge about caring for your teeth rather than just trusting your dentist to take care of everything when you visit? There are a lot of things you can do at home between dental checkups. Clearly you do; keep reading for more tips.

Buy a great quality toothbrush and make sure that you replace it regularly. Choose a toothbrush that has soft bristles. If your teeth bleed when brushing, you might need a softer brush. Avoid keeping the same toothbrush too long, because bacteria can accumulate.

Sodas can damage your teeth. During the day at work, for instance, just drink water or drinks without sugar. This is good for your whole body.



Fluoride is your best source for a healthy smile. If your tap water doesn't contain fluoride, you are at a disadvantage. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Mouthwash with fluoride is another options.

Visit your dentist twice a year. This will help you avoid health issues in your mouth. When you visit the dentist regularly, that is a good way to make sure plaque isn't building up, your teeth aren't decaying, and you might be able to stop or prevent gum disease as well.

Don't forget the back teeth when you brush! Brushing the front of the teeth is natural and easy because it is what you can see in your mirror, but the back of the teeth are also important. Avoid these problems by always brushing your back teeth as well.

The method you use to hold your brush actually impacts your brushing success. Hold the toothbrush at an angle when brushing your teeth. Use small, gentle, circular strokes. Don't brush too hard as that will agitate your gums.

Kids oftentimes have irrational fears about going to the dentist. Help them to feel better about dentist visits by letting them know dentists want to help them. Look for a pediatric dentist who stocks the waiting room with books, toys and games for small children. These pleasant distractions can help to allay your little one's fears.

If you are a lady old enough to wear lipstick, use it to conceal the color of your teeth. Light reds and medium corals make teeth appear whiter than they really are. Lighter shades of lipstick have the reverse effect. Even healthy teeth can look yellow if you wear a lipstick that is too light.

Don't forget to brush your tongue as well as your teeth. The tongue is an ideal place for bacteria to develop. In addition to being unhealthy, it can cause bad breath to develop.

Most teens are neglectful when it comes ro oral hygiene. A good way to get your teens to brush, floss and use mouthwash on a regular basis is to remind them that no one likes to get close to someone with bad breath. Attracting a girlfriend or boyfriend is important to teens. Gently nudge them to take care of their teeth.

Regularly scheduled visits to a dentist are imperative. Make sure you visit your dentist every six months so that you can keep your teeth in optimal health and tackle http://www.smileusa.com/all-on-four-dental-implants/ any problems early. Overall, you will be saving money.

Be patient when it comes to brushing your teeth. Brushing is something many folks rush through. Don't do this. Instead, focus on spending an adequate amount of time while brushing those pearly whites. Do not just rush through the motions. Make sure you brush thorough for one full minute or more.

If you want to practice the best dental hygiene, there are many proactive steps you can take. Your dentist is not completely responsible for your dental health. Your oral health depends on your taking care of your teeth. Use the information learned here to help you maintain good oral health.

Why Do Women Have Dental Problems During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?

Will I lose My Teeth While I'm Pregnant Or Breast Feeding?

This is a very important issue for pregnant women to understand. There is a direct connection between proper nutritional intake and your dental health. Many mothers have had thousands of dollars in dental work or have lost teeth due to bone loss and gum disease after pregnancy and/or breastfeeding. When asked if women lose calcium from her teeth during pregnancy, the American Dental Association (ADA) plays with an answer by speaking out both sides of its mouth. The ADA responds by saying this:

"It is a myth that calcium is lost from the mothers teeth during pregnancy. The calcium your baby needs is provided by your diet, not by your teeth. If SmileUSA dietary calcium is inadequate, however, your body will provide this mineral from stores in your bones. An adequate intake of dairy products the primary source of calcium or the supplements your obstetrician may recommend will help ensure that you get all the calcium you need during your pregnancy."

Now, I'm no Rocket Scientist or Rhodes Scholar, but it's safe to say that it is not a myth that a woman loses calcium in her teeth during pregnancy. If she is not getting enough dietary calcium then, according to the ADA, the body will take the calcium from your bones-that includes the bones in the teeth!

Why the ADA and our dentists won't be straight with us about this issue is beyond me. It would help a lot of women to know that their dental problems may be due to poor nutrition instead of poor hygiene which is the reason most commonly associated with tooth decay.

The National Institute of Health says that women lose bone mass during pregnancy and breastfeeding. According to the National institute of Health, "Studies have shown that women often lose 3 to 5 percent of their bone mass during breastfeeding, although they recover it rapidly after weaning. This bone loss may be caused by the growing babys increased need for calcium, which is drawn from the mothers bones."

Each woman is different and your level of tooth and gum problems may very. However, it is directly related to both your diet AS WELL AS the different things that are happening to your body including the fluctuation of your hormone levels. So don't allow anyone to make you think you are crazy because you think your dental problems are somehow associated with your pregnancy. You know your body, you know what changes are happening to your body.

Dr. Weston A. Price, a Cleveland Dentist travelled the world for 10 years and discovered there was a direct connection between dental decay and improper nutrition. He found that people who ate a diet of refined refined foods lacking in fat soluble vitamins, ladened with white flour and white sugar were usually physically deteriorating with poor dental health. Using this knowledge, he was able to get a 250 percent success rate in improving dental decay in his own test.

According to Dr. Price's Research: "The importance of good nutrition for mothers during pregnancy has long been recognized, but Dr. Price's investigation showed that primitives understood and practiced preconception nutritional programs for both parents. Many tribes required a period of premarital nutrition, and children were spaced to permit the mother to maintain her full health and strength, thus assuring subsequent offspring of physical excellence. Special foods were often given to pregnant and lactating women, as well as to the maturing boys and girls in preparation for future parenthood. Dr. Price found these foods to be very rich in fat soluble vitamins A and D nutrients found only in animal fats."

You can get Dr. Price's Book "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration," From Amazon.

Using Dr. Price's Research detailed in his book, Ramiel Nagel wrote a book, "Cure For Tooth Decay: Heal and Prevent Cavities with Nutrition," which is also available at Amazon, detailing how you can heal your teeth and prevent tooth decay with the right nutrition. Mr. Nagel used the principles from Dr. Price's research to reverse his one year old daughter's tooth decay. According to Dr. Price's research, dental problems including tooth decay are a result of the imbalance between the calcium-phosphorus ratio that is within the tooth.

It is much easier to read than Dr. Price's work and may be easier to understand for the lay person. However, both books are very important for your library to help you improve yours and your family's dental health.

So yes, there is a connection between pregnancy and tooth loss and that connection is proper nutrition (Don't just eat anything like most pregnancy women are told its ok to do-eat the best and most nutritious things). No matter how much you floss and brush, if you are not getting the proper dietary nutrition, your body will take it from your bones-including the bones in your teeth. Your body will subsequently degenerate and it could mean tooth decay, tooth and gum irritations, periodontal diseases in different stages including bone loss in the teeth. According to what Dr. Price's research suggests, you should make sure you get the best nourishment before, during and after pregnancy. His research also suggests spacing out your children to give the woman's body time to rebuild.

NOTE: To help remove plaque around you can check with your dentist about using a sonic toothbrush. Sonic technology is really being promoted as one of the best ways to keep plaque which is the leading cause of gum disease other than improper diet, from accumalating along the gumline. Your dentist office might offer them for hundreds of dollars, butyou can get a good sonic toothbrush for under $50. It's the difference between 300 brush strokes (with the human hand) and 22,000 to 30,000 brush strokes per minute with the sonic brush. If you are having severe gum issues, talk to your dentist and try adding a sonic toothbrush to your daily regime.

Note: Many people have reported reversal of serious gum infections, tightening of loose teeth and strengthening of gums by using Dr. Schultz tooth and gum formula and daily oral therapy. You can read more about that on Dr. Shultz's website here.

Many, many people have also reported getting good results with most dental problems by usingcolloidal silver. Silver used to be the preferred antibiotic used in the medical field before the invention of anti-biotics. It is still used in many hospitals as an antibiotic. Silver is said to kill the bad bacteria without harming the good ones. Using silver with a good sonic toothbrush may solve your dental problems. Do your research online and look on Amazon to see what colloidal silver products work best. Talk to your dentist for futher advice.

Other Great Articles To Read

Link Between Diet And Infertility

Feeling Charitable? Read This

References

American Dental Association: Pregnancy and Oral Health

National Institute of Health: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Bone Health

Price-Pottenger Nutritional Foundation