Finally, after staunchly adhering to the position that mercury amalgam filling pose absolutely no risk to anyone, the FDA, as a result of a lawsuit, has changed the language on their website. Previously, they stated that there had never been any evidence that the fillings were dangerous for anyone. Now they say that mercury may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses. Proponents of mercury fillings will state that the mercury is inert when it’s put into our mouths, that there have never been any studies that show toxic effects from mercury fillings, and accuse the anti-mercury camp of being alarmist proponents of “junk science”. The anti-mercury camp states that it only makes sense that chewing and the passage of time will cause the fillings to wear and eventually emit mercury into our bodies, and points to tons of anectodal evidence where people have had miraculous recoveries from a myriad of ailments once they had their amalgam fillings properly removed. As has been the case all along, the American Dental Association (ADA) continues to maintain their stance of “mercury amalgam fillings are totally safe”.

It’s really hard for a layman to know where the truth lies. Personally, I’d rather be safe than sorry, and wouldn’t have any mercury amalgam fillings, knowing what we know now. I think we know enough to say not having this type of fillings put into our mouth is erring on the side of safety. If you currently have some and are thinking about having them removed, be sure to use a dentist that’s experienced with the procedure and knows what precautions to take. Done incorrectly, removing mercury fillings can cause a massive release of mercury into the body.

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