Are Dental Amalgams risky?
This is a question some people hav.e amalgams are used to fill cavities. The fillings that are made with this are also known as silver fillings. Over the years though, concerns have been raised due to the fact that they contain mercury. But, here are the answers to your question of whether they are safe.
They are a combination of metals and are the most effective filling material in dentistry for over 150 years. While it sometimes is called a silver amalgam, it consists of different metals. Sometimes, you may use tooth-colored ones to restore teeth, so they’re used a whole lot less. But, not all the newer materials can help in every situation. They are also cheaper too, and they hold up better over time and are used primarily on molars.
But, the concern is mercury, and this is from a study that evaluated the research on this. However, there is no reason to reduce the use of this, and the FDA concluded that these are safe for children over the age of 6, but there are still some considerations.
Why is mercury even used though? Well, it helps make the material pliable, and that, when mixed with an alloy powder, creatures a compound that is soft enough for mixing and pressing on the tooth, and it hardens quickly and withstands biting and chewing. The reason for this concern is because it can be toxic if exposed in too large of amounts. Everyone is exposed to this in water, soil, and food, but the concern is raised because of the buildup, and this can be quite concerning.
As with many other substances, the degrees that this can harm is varied. Very low levels won’t affect you, but if you’re exposed to it at higher levels, it can cause severe issues, including but not limited to irritability, memory loss, fatigues, and headache. The controversy from these feelings is how much the body absorbs over time. In the past, the fillings were thought to be inert, but over time, the views of this have been changed, since small vapors are released, and that could wear over time on the person.
Some may have had a reaction to this, and they may be allergic to it. If you’re worried at all, you should talk to your dentist about it. You should consider alternatives if you can handle them, and f you’re someone that eats a large amount of seafood, or if you are exposed to toxic amounts of mercury, you probably should talk to your dentist about alternatives.
But, at the core, if there is a little bit, it shouldn’t hurt you. But, for the most part, they are safe, and your dentist can tell you about this. Many times, you may want to consider an alternative if you’re so worried. Many times, there is indium fillings or copper ones, but you may want to talk to your doctor about this to figure out what’s best for you too.
