- Discover why this type of heavy metal is bad for your health
- The real truth about your dentist
- Hurrah! These fantastic teeth protecting sweets will so be back in stock
Back in July I offered some tips on how you can look after your teeth – if you missed it read the newsletter here.
Surprisingly over the next few days I heard from several readers who wanted to know more about the health impact of mercury amalgam fillings.
Truly this was something that I had never given any thought to, despite having a mouth that could have considerable scrap value on my demise!
Looking over the literature I discovered that for years now, there’s been a theory that fillings make you ill.
The mercury contained in amalgam fillings can ‘leak’ with every bite of food you take, leading to neurological disorders, chronic fatigue, and arthritis.
Or so the argument goes.
Of course, the big companies that provide amalgam to dentists say this is nonsense.
According to them, the mercury is ‘sealed-in’ once the amalgam has hardened. It’s impossible, they claim, for the mercury to seep out and find its way into your bloodstream.
Well, they would, wouldn’t they?
Imagine being in the chair as the dentist leaned over and said, ‘There might be a little poisoning with this filling, Sir, but rest assured, it’s at no extra charge.’
So once again, it’s up to us to find out the truth for ourselves.
And I have to say, the evidence is pretty damning. For example, this quote from the Natural Resources Defence Council:
‘Recent studies have shown that silver-coloured dental fillings, which contain as much as 50 percent mercury by weight, can release mercury vapour – particularly when they are new or when the wearer chews gum or food.’
Oh dear. And it gets worse…
‘Once inhaled, this vapour can be toxic to the lungs, kidneys, and brain – particularly of infants and children. Pregnant women, or women planning to become pregnant within the next few months, should avoid getting mercury fillings.’
What the research says may shock you
It isn’t just the mercury when it is in your mouth that’s an issue, it has an environmental impact too.
Scientists and environmental researchers published a paper in 2019(1) which identified dental amalgam as a major source of mercury pollution in the environment.
They said that waste water from dental surgeries, sewage sludge spread on fields by farmers and emissions from crematoria all contribute to the amount of mercury in air, water and even our food.
However, the really scary story involves dental usage.
A study of 187 adults from 2001(2) concluded that amalgam fillings may be a continuous source of organic mercury, which is more toxic than inorganic mercury, and almost completely absorbed by the human intestine.
This means every mercury filling has the potential to cause significant health issues.
Some other studies back this up, linking mercury in fillings to a whole array of kidney, heart and brain problems.
Although many prominent doctors claim these studies are ‘inconclusive’, I’ve seen enough to make me doubt the safety of amalgam fillings.
So from now on, if I need a filling, I’m going to use less-toxic alternatives, such as non-metallic quartz-based fillings or porcelain inlays.
If there is any mercury still lurking in my body, I have one last resource… one I always turn to in times of crisis.
I have something to eat.
Foods strong in Magnesium, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folic acid can all help blitz mercury from the system.
Also try alpha lipoic acid, a naturally occurring compound found (in very small amounts) in potatoes. It’s also available over-the-counter as a food supplement.
Another little tip…
Drink green tea. Apparently it’s a marvel when it comes to dental problems.
This is something that two clever dentists have realised and have something special to offer you.
And now for the good news many of you have been waiting for.
The Green Tea benefit that we have all been missing
For nearly a year now we have been missing out.
One of our most popular featured products was Dr Heff’s Remarkable Mints.
You may remember them.
These sugar free sweets were developed by two practicing dentists – Dr Heffernan and Dr Toby Edwards-Lunn.
As frontline dentists, they could see the damage our diets and lifestyles were having on our teeth.
Because the dentistry profession is often focussed on curing ills, rather than preventing them from occurring in the first place, Mike and Toby decided it was time to change the focus.
They took four years to develop the mints, and say that they could especially benefit those who are at risk of the root decay that occurs when gums recede, exposing the root, which lacks a tough, protective covering.
Their research told them that using Green Tea was going to make a huge difference.
So they developed a combination of Green Tea extract, Xylitol, Calcium Phosphate and Peppermint Oil which delivers protection from tooth decay, control of bacterial plague and much fresher breath all day.
Having created the first version they didn’t rest on their laurels.
As part of their constant drive to improve the product and its environmental footprint Mike and Toby decided to use lockdown to revisit their mints.
So it gives me great pleasure to announce the return of an old friend.
Dr Heff’s mints are back, they have been completely repackaged in eco-friendly material and are now easier to carry around, plus they will be cheaper than before.
We are eagerly awaiting our delivery and if you would like to know when they are back in stock [Click here] and we’ll give you the chance to be the first to get a priority order.
A nice refreshing mint has to be a better alternative to getting your teeth drilled and filled.
It certainly makes more sense for a dental coward like me!
References;
(1) Tibau, A. V., & Grube, B. D. (2019). Mercury contamination from dental amalgam. Journal of Health and Pollution, 9(22), 190612.
(2)Leistevuo, J., Leistevuo, T., Helenius, H., Pyy, L., Österblad, M., Huovinen, P., & Tenovuo, J. (2001). Dental amalgam fillings and the amount of organic mercury in human saliva. Caries research, 35(3), 163-166.
