Last Updated on November 28, 2022 by Dr. Saumya Saluja
Quick Take
According to a widely shared Facebook post, the FDA acknowledges that silver dental fillings may be harmful. We confirmed the assertion. As per our findings, the claim is Mostly False.
The Claim
A Facebook post titled Natural Health, states that the FDA has finally admitted that silver dental fillings can cause kidney, urological, neurological, and fertility problems. The post’s screenshot is given below.
Fact Check
How credible is the claim?
THIP Media confirmed the reliability of the claim. The FDA, however, has made no such official announcement. We also used Google Reverse Image to determine the origin of the image used in the claim. We discovered that the image was widely used on several dental blogs and clinic websites and has no connection to FDA. As a result, we believe the post is fake. One such screenshot has been shared for your reference.
What exactly are silver dental fillings?
Tooth decay begins when bacteria in the saliva and plaque buildup on the gums and teeth combine with sugars and starches in the diet. As a result, the acid produced has the potential to weaken dental enamel. This tooth deterioration, if left untreated, could lead to dental caries. The resulting tooth damage is irreversible. Hence, the decayed area is removed and replaced with restorative fillings. One such filling is silver-colored dental amalgam.
Amalgam fillings are composed of powdered silver, tin, and copper mixed with metallic mercury. These ‘dental amalgam’ fillings have been used since the nineteenth century. These fillings are popular due to their strength and long-lasting chewing surfaces. Furthermore, they can be placed quicker than other types of fillings, are less expensive to place, and typically last longer.
Is silver amalgam hazardous to the general public?
No, not for now. Mercury is a naturally occurring element that can be found in the atmosphere, water, and soil. Metallic mercury is found in dental amalgam fillings and is not a major source of mercury toxicity in humans. Please keep in mind that mercury is only toxic to humans in sufficient quantities, with fish consumption being the main source. Furthermore, scientific evidence backs up the point that there is no concrete clinical evidence of mercury poisoning in people who have amalgam fillings in their mouths. Besides that, the UN Environmental Program’s Minamata Convention on Mercury, signed in 2017, is committed to reduce the use of mercury worldwide, including in dentistry.
It should be noted that, unlike other types of mercury, metallic mercury present in dental amalgam is essentially non-toxic when swallowed; it passes through a healthy gastrointestinal tract without being absorbed into the body or causing harm. Individuals with dental amalgam fillings have detectable levels of mercury in their hair, blood, and urine. This is due to the mercury in the filling evaporating, being inhaled, and then being absorbed into the bloodstream. When people grind their teeth or chew, they release increased but still minor amounts of mercury. Thus, the scientific evidence available is limited that the amounts of mercury released and absorbed in this manner pose risk to neurological health.
Moreover, various international organizations have concluded that the use of mercury-containing dental amalgams is safe when used within acceptable parameters. These organizations include the World Health Organization, and the US Food and Drug Administration. Further to that, the American Dental Association has stated that amalgam can be used safely in people over the age of six.
We asked our dental expert, Dr. Pooja Bhardwaj (BDS), if silver amalgam is harmful. She explained that, “Silver amalgam is composed of 50% mercury along with silver, copper, tin, and zinc. This adds strength to the filling. Due to its metallic appearance, it is commonly referred to as a ‘silver dental filling’. It does emit trace amounts of mercury as vapor, depending on the duration of filling. And while these traces can be found in the blood and urine of people who have silver amalgam fillings, their presence in such small amounts is not conclusive of any adverse effects. Mercury toxicity is primarily caused by eating contaminated fish and being near mercury mines. And severe symptoms include skin reactions (a mercury tattoo in the oral cavity), kidney dysfunction, neurological impairment, and so on. Silver amalgam, on the other hand, should be avoided in people who are more vulnerable to such risks, such as pregnant or lactating women, children under the age of six because their nervous systems are developing, and immunocompromised patients.”
Are there any precautions to take when using silver amalgam?
Yes, the FDA has designated it as the ‘precautionary principle‘. This is a method of dealing with scientific uncertainty that involves the use of metallic mercury. This would be extremely beneficial in terms of preventing harm to people or the environment. In the case of dental amalgams, some European countries such as New Zealand have followed this precautionary principle. Therefore, the use of amalgams in pregnant women, lactating women, infants, and young children is prohibited. Additionally, the FDA has warned against using it in patients who are allergic to mercury, have pre-existing Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, or impaired kidney function.
THIP MEDIA TAKE: As a result, we conclude that no such official announcement has been made by the FDA. The main source of mercury toxicity in humans is fish consumption, not dental amalgam. Furthermore, the metallic mercury in silver dental fillings is not enough to cause mercury toxicity. As a result, there is no danger to the general public. Amalgam restorations, on the other hand, should not be used on patients with impaired kidney function, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or multiple sclerosis, pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, or young children. Hence, the assertion is mostly false.
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