Exposure to the element mercury, including smelling, touching, or ingesting it, can put you at risk of many serious health problems. It might surprise you to know, then, that common silver dental fillings contain mercury that’s potentially dangerous to your health.
Dental fillings with mercury in them don’t always cause problems, but sometimes, they can contribute to or worsen serious medical conditions. Here at The Systemic Dentist in Los Angeles, California’s Brentwood neighborhood, Alireza Panahpour, DDS, is committed to mercury removal of any mercury dental fillings that are damaging your health.
Keep reading to learn more about mercury removal and what to expect if mercury removal is right for you.
Understanding mercury removal
Dental amalgam fillings, also known as silver fillings, are commonly used to treat dental cavities. The properties of silver fillings usually contain about half mercury.
In some people, having fillings with mercury causes health issues or poses risks to their health. Old silver fillings can damage your stomach’s inner lining by weakening the acids in your stomach. They can slowly harm your body and make you more susceptible to harmful parasites, bacteria, and other problems.
As a result, it’s not safe for many people to have fillings that contain mercury. If this describes you, Dr. Panahpour recommends removing your silver fillings to replace them with safe fillings, such as ceramic or gold filling.
Should I get mercury removal?
Mercury removal is the right choice for many people who have silver amalgam tooth fillings. At your consultation, Dr. Panahpour evaluates you to determine if mercury removal is right for you.
You might benefit from mercury removal if you have at least one silver tooth filling, and any of the following apply:
You have underlying health conditions aggravated by mercury fillings
Mercury fillings can make certain already existing health conditions worse or contribute to these conditions developing. These include hearing loss, kidney disease, cardiovascular problems, autoimmune disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
If you have any of these conditions or a family history of these conditions, talk to Dr. Panahpour to see if mercury removal is right for you.
You’re experiencing potential symptoms of mercury exposure
Along with developing certain health conditions, there are other indicators you might be experiencing an excess of mercury in your system. These symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Depression and anxiety
- Problems sleeping
- Tremors and physical coordination issues
- Changes in your vision or hearing
You grind your teeth
Teeth grinding can put you at increased risk of experiencing harmful side effects from silver fillings. This is because grinding your teeth can cause the release of mercury from your filling, which means it gets into your body.
You aren’t pregnant or nursing
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, mercury removal can be potentially harmful to you and your baby. If you’re otherwise a good fit for mercury removal, you can get the procedure after you’re no longer nursing or pregnant.
What to expect from a mercury removal procedure
Before scheduling your procedure, Dr. Panahpour evaluates you to determine if you’re a good candidate for mercury removal. This includes investigating if your mercury fillings are negatively impacting your health.
Your mercury fillings are removed in a very safe manner that ensures your exposure to mercury during the procedure is limited. This includes using excellent ventilation systems in his office.
During your mercury removal, Dr. Panahpour removes the fillings one by one after using a drill to break your filling into small pieces. Next, he uses a charcoal liquid to rinse your mouth before replacing the filling with a safe material.
Mercury removal procedures are safe, highly effective, and can be extremely beneficial to your health. To learn more about mercury removal at The Systemic Dentist, call (310) 986-6001 to schedule your consultation.