Dentistry's Toxic Legacy

by John Snively

Have you ever heard the saying “Mad as a Hatter” or do you remember the Mad Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice In Wonderland? In the 1800s, the felt hat industry used mercury to cure hats and those who handled the felt often came down with serious illnesses, most often resulting in bizarre behaviour and death. This was the direct results of mercury poisoning. This unnecessary poisoning continues today through the indiscriminate use of mercury amalgam as a filling material in dentistry. These fillings are commonly called “silver fillings” but in truth are 50 per cent mercury and only 30 per cent silver. Mercury is the most toxic non-radioactive heavy metal on earth and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that there is no safe limit. The WHO also lists mercury amalgams as our greatest source of exposure to mercury. These fillings are releasing toxic mercury vapours 24/7 and can have the most insidious effects.

Mercury has been linked to Alzheimer’s and autism and is a serious neurological toxin. It has been linked to SIDS, MS, and behavioural disorders. Mercury destroys cells and enzymes and has an affinity for the brain (pituitary gland) and central nervous system. To date, mercury fillings have not been banned here in North America as they have in many European countries.

Of utmost concern is the use of mercury amalgam with children. According to research, if a woman is pregnant and has mercury in her teeth there is widespread distribution throughout the developing fetus with the largest concentration in the brain. The unborn child has no filtering system for such toxic elements and in early childhood does not have a well-developed immune system to counteract this poison. Mercury is many times more toxic than lead or arsenic and yet dentists routinely place this material in the teeth of both adults and children, often without their knowledge or consent. There is currently legislation before the U.S. courts where the FDA is being challenged on this issue (www.toxicteeth.com).

Mercury in the body has a half life of 20 years and if you have mercury amalgam fillings then the supply is continuously being topped up. The kidneys are seriously affected but it is the brain where the most damage occurs. It is also challenging to remove mercury from the brain as very few substances can pass across the blood brain barrier to eliminate it. Some research suggests that cilantro works well. Through our ever increasing exposure to toxic elements mercury can play a significant role in the cumulative effect or “body burden” and in my clinical experience I have witnessed its devastating effects as well as the benefits of its removal. There are alternatives to this material that should never have been allowed in the first place. No woman or child in particular should ever be exposed to this toxic metal. Even if you have never had one of these fillings, likely your mother did and you were the unknowing recipient during her pregnancy.

The simplest solution is to refuse to have it placed but if you have been exposed then you must find a dentist who is familiar with the proper protocol for its removal. You must be protected from further acute exposure during removal and undergo a detoxification process (remember the half life is 20 years). If you are pregnant, do not have any fillings placed or removed and that goes for the time you are nursing as well since mercury is transferred through breast milk. Never allow mercury amalgam fillings to be placed in your children’s teeth. These and other metal fillings or crowns create an electrical current which releases even more mercury and has its own problems since each tooth is the beginning point of a major acupuncture meridian.

It is only through proper education and our collective response that changes will occur. It is essential that we always remain vigilant advocates for our children. We can all share a profound influence upon how things turn out for them later.

Dr. John Snively is retired from clinical practice and lives in Victoria where he continues to speak on issues of whole health including dentistry, diet and nutrition. For information, visit www.johnsnively.com.