Do You Have More Than Eight Fillings? You Might Be at Risk of Poisoning
A new study examining 15,000 people concluded: Many dental fillings raise mercury levels in your blood and increase the risk of poisoning that could affect health in many ways.
How many fillings do you have? More than eight? If you've reached this number, it's advisable to learn a bit about the materials that make up your dental fillings.
Dentists usually use amalgam—a mixture of mercury, silver, and other metals—to fill cavities. A new study from the University of Georgia reveals that when the number of fillings is high, mercury levels in the body increase significantly—sometimes dangerously.
"Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases," says Lei Yin, a scientist at the School of Public Health and the head of the research team. "Most people have dental fillings, yet we typically don't discuss the materials used by dentists for fillings."
Concern about mercury exposure due to dental fillings is not new, but previous studies examining it were limited and inconsistent, the researchers add. The current study by the University of Georgia assessed no fewer than 15,000 individuals with dental fillings. The study also considered other factors affecting mercury levels in the body, such as smoking, seafood consumption, etc.
The researchers investigated the specific type of mercury that rises in individuals with numerous fillings and found it to be methylmercury, the most toxic form of mercury. Even at relatively low levels, this type of mercury can be toxic and harm the immune system, lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain.
"We know, of course, that mercury is a poison, but it all depends on the dosage. So if you have one filling, it might be okay. But if you have more than eight fillings, the potential risk is much higher," the researchers explain. The study results showed that people with more than eight dental fillings had 150% more mercury in their blood than those with no fillings at all. And this is a significant percentage of the population: In the U.S., a quarter of residents have at least 11 dental fillings.
The research team states that they have begun concurrently testing the safety of alternative dental filling materials that do not contain mercury. However, it is too early to safely declare that the perfect substitute for amalgam has been found.
