FDA decides: silver amalgam (mercury) fillings might harm pregnant women.

[pnwmom]

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2008/06/silver-mercury.html

Amalgam or 'silver' dental fillings contain mercury which may have nuerotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has updated information on its Web site after settling a related lawsuit.

"Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner," the agency said in the udpated "Question and Answer" fact sheet about dental amalgams.

As part of the settlement with several consumer advocacy groups, the FDA will issue a more specific rule next year for fillings that contain mercury, FDA spokeswoman Peper Long told me in an e-mail. The comment period ends in July 2008; the rule will be finalized by July 2009.

Dental amalgam, which is made up of liquid mercury and a powder containing silver, tin, copper, zinc and other metals, has long been used to fill or restore teeth that have cavities. The mercury concentration in dental amalgams is generally about 50 percent by weight, while the silver concentration ranges from 20 to 35 percent, according to the FDA.

Though many dentists are willing, the agency does not recommend having amalgam fillings removed and replaced with these other materials, saying dental amalgams are durable and cheap and these advantages might outweigh any potential health risk.

SNIP

[Warpy]

1. Watch those weasel words

and "might" is a very big word. It means no link has been proven, but they want to cover their asses in a litigious society.

[pnwmom]

3. There is plenty of evidence on the deleterious affects of mercury exposure,

which is a toxin that accumulates in the body throughout life.

The FDA is finally acknowledging reality -- the safe amount of mercury exposure is NO exposure.

[PCIntern]

13. Ban tuna!

See below...

[Warpy]

37. Wrong type of mercury

The science has been done.

Anecdotes are not science.

[pnwmom]

38. The FDA disagrees with you. They're finally seeing the light.

And so does my husband, who has a PHD in Chemistry. What are your qualifications?

[global1]

14. Here's Another Link - Also Tied To Alzheimer's Disease and MS.......

check it out: http://www.curezone.com/dental/dental_alzheimer.asp

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. My Kids when they went back to Europe to live years back

Their Dentists removed all of their old fillings they had
received in the US which they considered from their studies
as dangerous.

[pnwmom]

4. Europe and Canada are ahead of us on this. n/t

[KoKo]

24. Dentist could have been "truly concerned" or "taking advantage" of MONEY from

client. Same here in the States.

[PCIntern]

27. I'm glad you said that....

you are 'spot on'.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. This could also explain the connection b/n mercury and autism.

[originalpckelly]

8. I think that's a "yeah, duh" kind of thing.

And, I'm pretty fucking pissed about this shit.

Everyone should be, and if this link is more than just suspicion, the kids/adults with autism related to this should receive compensation for it.

[global1]

10. Returning From Washington D.C. Last Night I Sat Next To A Mother Who.....

was up on the Hill lobbying against 'mercury in vaccines'. GREEN THE VACCINES

It is the concentrations of mercury called 'thimerosol' as a preservative that is linked to Autism. Infants receive many vaccinations - all or most - which contain this ingredient. The concentrations build up from all of these vaccines in the infant and the result is - autism.

The FDA is refusing to make that link with vaccines. Again it looks like 'big Pharma' has lined the agency. Autistic children become good customers of 'big Pharm' during their lifetime - which results in big business and $$$$$$$$. With all the related health problems that result from autism - they will be buying many of the other drug products produced by big Pharma. As such - many scientific papers that refute the mercury/autism link are coincidentally paid for or sponsored by big Pharma. Hmmmmmm. Isn't that just like big Pharma - make them sick so they can take more of their product.

Do you think maybe this is why we don't have a National Health Insurance? The money people know that we'd be throwing good money after bad.

I learned something else last night - that there are ways to detoxify the autistic child and recover them. In a sense reverse the effects of the mercury/thimerosol. It might take years - but in the process - the parents can see the results on an on-going basis in the child and their behavior.

Here is an organization that you can link to that will provide more info on this: www.northwestindianaautism.com

You also find links to all the most appropriate 'Autism Info and Autism Support sites'.

Please get this info into the hands of family and friends that may have an autistic child. There is wonderful work going on in this area - unfortunately - most goes on outside the system - because the system won't acknowledge the problem.

It is good to see that they maybe finally acknowledging the problem with 'mercury amalgams'. Maybe this is a good sign that they will soon recognize the problem with vaccines.

[Ilsa]

12. I think you could be correct on this. I wonder if there is a study of

autism in children whose moms had mercury/whatever amalgams. I have an autistic son. I have them. I also had a flu shot during my pregnancy. I also had a MMR six years before getting pregnant with my autistic son. It turns out my titer for measles (tested at beginning of pregnancy) was over 1,000 when it should have been around 9-12. MAybe my high titer had something to do with it.

I just wish people would give up the notion that medicine (including dental) is best here in the US.

[global1]

15. Did You Also Have Your Child Vaccinated?.......

Really - check out this website and contact the organization. They have a wonderful support and help group:

www.northwestindianaautism.com

[Ilsa]

18. Yes, but his symptoms were present before vaxing. Thanks. Bookmarked. nt

[global1]

16. Also Here's A List Of Doctor's That Can Help You As Well......

click on this link: http://www.healing-arts.org/children/amyholmes.htm

But before you contact any of these docs - check out the other website I listed and talk to their VP. She has two autistic boys and knows more about this whole area than many health professionals I know.

[seabeyond]

6. mercury is GOOD for our kids.... does the body good, dontcha know. n/t

[KoKo]

25. I've wondered how Euorpeans and Asians who eat so much Mecury laden FISH can survive

and their kids seem to test much higher than ours do on many "key" points. I think that "diet" is pretty standard from country to country as to preferences of parents get fed to their young kids...yet it seems the world over ...other countries kids keep testing higher than ours on all scores and particularly Math which requires a lot of cognation and their diet is higher in FISH than ours..

It's amazing to me. I wonder if the Mercury thing is overblown...although I never eat TUNA and other FISH...because it scares me so much.

[seabeyond]

35. i have not done any study of what is happening with the kids in europe or asia

i do not have any knowledge at all if there is an issue in these areas or if they do not have any issue with autism and other neurological disorders. but i am sure it is not indicative of the numbers on tests that you are referring to. the child that i know was/is effected by mercury... thru vaccination and then thru fish, .... i have had a decade of watching the effects and results.... is one of the kids that raises the numbers on tests in the u.s. he was just honored in the state of texas for being in the top 5% of the top 10% of the nations tip duke program. i know another kid in his class that has the same issues and is on drugs for his condition never has to studies, is in the same pre ap courses and taking his SAT in the seventh grade along with son

this issue that people are having with the high functioning autism and other neuorological disorders is not a sign of dummie or lack of performing. generally these kids are the top of their grades, if they can be disciplined into focus. it has been going on in the schools long enough now, and teachers and administration are aware enough now that they and parents are giving these kids tools to help them along the way so they can produce in school and not fall along the wayside.

why the other nations are so successfull is the time spent not only in school but on school work and other, outside of school. having two kids way up there in iq, i have had to consider, do i want to be one of those parents that pushes my children so... so they can be at the top and excelled ect.... at the expense of their childhood. i am not willing to do that. i am willing to allow kids to be kids, work in school and play after....asia especially puts in hours after they get out of school. i dont need or want that for my kids.

[NickB79]

41. It is theorized that high selenium intake in seafood neutralizes the mercury

For example: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1367848

The selenium binds to mercury and allows it to be more easily excreted from the body, thereby reducing mercury toxicity.

[originalpckelly]

7. Gee, whoda thunk something classified as hazardous waste would be bad for your (or babies) health?

:shrug:

Dumbest fucking idea in the history of the fucking world.

Hey, you know, maybe this has something to do with the large rise is autism?

Naw, that couldn't be!

It's not like something with neurotoxic effects could cause a developmental problem? No way in hell.

By the way, the blogger misspelled neurotoxic.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

9. Transgenerational concentrations.... methinks does a body

good.

http://www.setacjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-abstract&doi=10.1897%2F1551-5028(2001)020%3C0327%3ARATEOM%3E2.0.CO%3B2&ct=1
Offspring of mercury-exposed fish also had increased growth in moderate treatments, when egg concentrations were less than 0.02 μg/g, or when parent whole bodies contained 0.2 to 0.47 μg/g. In summary, exposure to mercury reduced male survival, reduced the ability of offspring to successfully reproduce, and altered sex ratios in offspring. Both direct effects on exposed fish and transgenerational effects were observed.

[PCIntern]

11. It would be nice if everyone knew what they were talking about

and, as an environmentally progressive dentist, who taught operative and restorative dentistry in an Ivy League institution for years I assure you, they don't.

Listen carefully: There is virtually no FREE MERCURY in pre-encapsulated mixes which virtually all dentists use now. This means AFTER THE CAPSULE IS TRITURATED (mixed in the noisy machine). there is virtually no, and I mean VANISHINGLY SMALL amounts of mercury in a set restoration (filling).

You want to cut back on Mercury significantly, I suggest you stop eating so much tuna fish...but then again, the fisheries would suffer, so that would never be suggested.

Autism, BTW, was diagnosed at a lower frequency when more mercury-containing fillings were performed here is the USA. So therefore, by the superficial logic herein contained, composite restorations cause autism.

Anyone who enters this discussion had better have a good working knowledge of dental materials.

[Ichingcarpenter]

17. Do you know why they removed all the fillings on my daughter?

She had about 10 fillings and did it for free, it was Danish Policy.

[PCIntern]

21. Yes I know why...

they replaced them with 'inert' composite restorations or porcelain inlays, or gold, did they not?

It is considered by many that Mercury restorations are the cause of every disease from Ms to the common cold. this is just not supported by any reasonable study....BUT...

for the sake of argument, let's say that free mercury IS THE CULPRIT. You had better change many of your behaviors including, but not limited to, the ingestion of many foods.

Also, and possibly more importantly,...most people think dental x-rays are dangerous. You had best better NOT fly on an airplane, b/c your exposure to X Radiation at an altitude of 30000 feet gives you the equivalent of a gigantic number of radiograph exposures in a dental office.

The amalgam restorations are by far the longest lasting, best-serving restorations in dentistry and the relative morbidity and mortality (yes it applies here as well) of NOT doing them will be seen in future generations. I have to go now but I could go on and on...and I shall later in the night, I'm sure.

[Ichingcarpenter]

23. Thanks, I knew you would give a good answer

They did mention the mercury restorations as a reason to remove them to her mother.

[KoKo]

29. Maybe...but there are many older folks "still intellectually cognitive" who had the

"worst" of the old mercury fillings...(just post WWII...who seem to still be able to be out there) and who would know the difference? Most folks in their late 40's, and 50's upwards have lived with Mercury Fillings all their lives. Their wasn't flouride in the water way back then, and there was only "Tooth Powder" and not "Floride enhanced Toothpaste" and yet they somehow manage to still be cognizant from having these fillings in their early years and some are well into their 60's.

Maybe it's the Vaccines...and the new ones? This is just a deflection or way for some "agressive Dentists" to make some bucks over removing all the amalgam. I've had many dentists tell me that "composite is great on front teeth" but for "chewing surfaces you need amalgam" in the back teeth or you are going to be spending money for the "amalgam" that "leaks" on back teath because there is more tooth surface that's hard to get a good "seal" with the composites on.

I'm dentally challenged...or I wouldn't bother to post. I'm still here...not brain dead...and functioning. I think we need to realize that ADD/ADHD and the rest might have multiple causes. There are always allergic reactions and things unknown...but for most folks still alive over 50...who have mouthful of amalgam/mercury...since they were very young...we just aren't brain addled yet. So...what does that mean? :shrug: just saying.

[Ilsa]

20. I thank you for your contribution to the thread.

Aren't they talking about "vanishingly small" amounts of mercury in vax preservatives as well?

BTW, I don't think environmental stuff is a "cause", but perhaps a trigger in some people that are genetically predisposed to develop behaviors on the spectrum.

[PCIntern]

26. That is probably the case...

and I hate poisons in the environment...but I am also a public health person and the public is best served by the use of amalgam restorations for certain applications. Not all...

there's so much more but I just don't have the time right now...

Perhaps Sunday's Dental Thread...

[KoKo]

30. Thank you...I've been told...amalgam for back teeth (chewing surface) and

"composite" for front teeth. If you start putting that "composite" in the back teeth...there's just too much chance for "leakage" and you end up with decay the dentist has to deal with and you have to pay for root canal or crowns...because the "composite" just doesn't seal as well on "multiple surfaces." But, it's great on the front teeth...(the ones one sees) because you can monitor the "leakage" more closely.

Anyway, I posted about this above on this thread about my "personal" experience with mercury fillings...

[PCIntern]

36. Ed Zachary correct!

[REP]

40. I have the teeth with amalgam fillings in my mouth; the ones with composites are now in a box

My composite fillings failed so badly I lost the molars they were in. I insist on amalgam for everything except small, superficial fillings in my front teeth (should I need them).

[KSCFAN]

19. Great.

Light up those Fluorescent bulbs. I worked in a Philips lighting plant in Fairmont West Virginia. They made the old long tube fluorescent bulbs there. You could see little balls of mercury from when the lamps broke.

[PCIntern]

22. You bet...it's also what makes neon signs glow brightly...

there's fricking mercury EVERYWHERE, folks.

[PCIntern]

28. ALSO...

Let's have a hypothetical situation; you are a dentist with slow slow slow business and almost no new patients due to Bush the Younger's economic policies. You don't know WTF you're going to do...and then you have a brainstorm...

you actually have hundreds of new patients right in your file cabinet...call them up or send them a letter and tell them that you are now able to reliably replace their old, dirty, crusty, pitted, cracked, tarnished, disease-causing restorations with BEAUTIFUL PORCELAIN OR GOLD!!!

You're RICHER THAN CROESUS...now...do recall the genius who placed a single word in directions and doubled the sales of the product. The word was 'repeat' in shampoo directions. Fact is, most people don't have to repeat.

[KoKo]

31. well...the thing with the new dentists (and I can understand) is IMPLANTS!

Don't bother about saving or restoring that old tooth that's been a problem to you...IMPLANTS! Do you want Cadaver (Corpse) bone or Cow Bone, your own bone ...or a synthetic...?

Actually, they don't ask you which you want because it depends on the "implant device manufacturer's requirements" and which "system" your dentist uses to decide that one.
I worry that true "restorative dentistry" for many patients will be supplanted with "Pull it Out" and just get an "IMPLANT." BUT...the cost is still quite high..even if one is lucky to have dental insurance.

I understand that dentists get so tired of trying to "save teeth" ...but maybe "saving" is worth it in many cases and going through an "implant" is not always the best option for a patient who has little money, can't deal with the pain and time involved for the restoration...and, in the end, it might not "take" and all have to be taken out. It's getting better and better and the skill of the dentist and surgeon are the utmost...but how many folks can avail themselves of "top notch teams."

Saving "some good teeth that can be saved" might be sacrificed on the judgement of the dentist or the ability to pay Big BUCKS by the patient.

We "teeth challenged" need an Ombudsman..........

[PCIntern]

34. this is a whole 'thing' which I should address one Sunday...n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

32. Mercury fillings fall apart. Makes for repeat customers.

This is repeat business. I've had several fillings that got old, cracked, destroyed the tooth by cracking it to bits when they did so. I had root canals and then had the teeth removed and the holes in the jaw sterilized to kill the anaerobic germs at the root tips.

I got sick of the fillings cracking and had them all replaced with Cerex. After I had the two root canal teeth removed, I was recuperating in bed just a few hours later, and I could tell that I was thinking faster. Anecdotal evidence, but just my experience.

Hg is quite neurotoxic. The EPA says it's the most toxic chemical out there that is not radioactive. Before it is installed in your mouth, extensive safety precautions have to be taken. Then when the Hg fillings are removed, extensive safety protocols must be followed and it must be disposed of following hazardous waste guidelines. But the dentists insist that while it's in your mouth, it's perfectly safe.

Now why is it toxic before it goes in your mouth, and after it is taken out, but it magically is pronounced SAFE while it's IN your mouth??? :wtf:

Your mouth is a wet battery, by the way. There is also mechanical grinding going on. :wtf:


That is reason enough for me to get it out of my mouth.


How Mercury causes Brain Neuron Degeneration, by F.L. Lorscheider, C.C.W. Leong, N.I. Syed,
Dept of Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHqVDMr9ivo&feature=related

[PCIntern]

33. Point by point...

1. You were thinking better after you had teeth extracted...OK. You had your jaw 'sterilized'...was that with gas sterilization or autoclave style heat (260 degrees F., or did they use radiation? You probably mean irrigated. That's nice.

2. Cerex? Really...talk about unproven and very very iffy,,,good luck! Talk about repeat business!

3. Hg removal is only treated that way by folks who say that it's so toxic.

4. Grinding of Hg containing restorations does not free any Hg...it's still in the phases that it was in when it set.

sorry...compostie and Cerex and porcelain inlay/onlays are not as long-lasting as silver. Sorry again.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

39. Grinding does too release mercury vapors.

"Hg removal is only treated that way by folks who say that it's so toxic." Uh, the EPA has strict protocols for placing it in fillings in patients and for removing it, and disposing of it as toxic waste. I didn't say that, the EPA said it. You really want what the EPA calls toxic waste in your mouth?


The dentist used, I believe, ozone, antibiotic liquid solution and UV light.

http://www.iaomt.org/articles/files/files193/The%20Case%20Against%20Amalgam.pdf



http://users.penn.com/~rarearts/mercurypoisoning.htm

Dentists have been educated to believe that once mercury has been combined into the filling material, it remains "locked in" and can't come out. The sad fact is that there is absolutely no scientific research in existence to support this hypothesis. To the contrary, all evidence indicates that silver amalgam containing approximately 50% mercury is a source of extremely toxic elemental mercury adversely affecting the health of the human body.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evidence now demonstrates that surface particles of the amalgam filling material are being chemically broken down and released into the oral cavity. These minute particles of mercury filling are acted upon by oral and intestinal bacteria to produce methyl mercury, an even more toxic form of mercury than elemental mercury with target areas being primarily the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and the brain.


Dentists have been using Hg fillings since the 1830s. By the 1870s dentists noticed health problems with the patients. I wouldn't go to a doctor or dentist who does ANYTHING the way it was done in the 1830s. Why would you use a technology from 1830? American doctors did not believe in germs then, and it was decades after Semmelweis, Lister and Pasteur recognized the cause of diseases as germs before American doctors started disinfecting their operating theaters and patients.

[NickB79]

42. Your second link looked promising until I found this reading through it:

"3. Perhaps the most obvious symptom of mercury toxicity in dental amalgam cases is Lichen in areas of mouth in contact with fillings. Goes away with mercury removal. How would you like Lichen in your mouth. Major Yuch!"

They seem to be confusing lichen planus (an inflammatory response of the mucous membrane to irritation) with the actual, yet completely unrelated, symbiotic plant-fungus that grows on rocks!

Then, I went to the homepage, and found "GODS LAW ON "CLEAN AND UNCLEAN" FOODS", quoting Leviticus!

Ah well, so much for the scientific integrity of that webpage....

[PCIntern]

43. this is just junk science at its worst

and it's going to affect many people's health in an untoward fashion..BUT...

"that's what is so great about America: that you are free to be, well, not all together.

good luck to all with their poorly placed composites, their Cerec restorations which leak and break, and the recurrent decay, and the root canal therapy which will follow. Oh I almost forgot, root canal treatments cause systemoc illness as well...:sarcasm: