A new study at University of Georgia of over 15,000 people with multiple dental fillings has concluded that mercury based amalgam fillings commonly referred to as silver fillings, can lead to increased mercury levels in the blood.  Mercury, a heavy metal known to be toxic at high levels, can cause heart, brain, lung, kidney and immune system impairment. Furthermore, new research suggests that methyl mercury may cause damage even at low levels.

“As toxicologists, we know that mercury is poison, but it all depends on the dose. So, if you have one dental filling, maybe it’s OK. But if you have more than eight dental filings, the potential risk for adverse effect is higher,” says study co-author Xiaozhong (John) Yu. If you have multiple silver dental fillings and are also exposed to mercury from other sources, such as seafood or work environments, you are most at risk.

In United States, the average American has about three dental fillings, with a quarter of the population having 11 or more fillings. If you are a pregnant women, a parent with children under six with silver fillings or generally concerned about your mercury fillings affecting your health make an appointment with your dentist at Modern Smiles in North Hollywood so we can discuss replacing your mercury based fillings with new dental fillings that could actually REPAIR tooth decay.

At Modern Smiles Dental Practice in North Hollywood, our professional dentists use a new class of composites, made of bioactive glass, that help repair tooth decay by releasing fluoride, calcium and phosphate; components that are all key to the formation of the inner tooth structure. In additions, the newer bioactive glass based fillings actually replenish these minerals that were lost due to tooth decay and can prevent bacteria from further infiltrating the tooth by filling in the gaps with minerals such as fluoride which is bactericidal.

To learn more about Dr. Kasra Tajik and Modern Smiles, please contact our office today.