Poison in the Mouth — The Dangers of Dental Amalgam

This video clip provides a great basis for the science behind the concern over mercury amalgam fillings. Proponents of mercury in dentistry will often argue that there is no research that shows that mercury amalgam is dangerous. That same argument was made about asbestos 20 years ago — that it’s safe until proven hazardous.

This video — clipped from the BBC’s Poison in the Mouth — provides the science behind the hazard.

Dental amalgams were first introduced in 1833 but many dentists refused to implant them due to the mercury. In 1843, the American Society of Dental Surgeons declared the use of dental amalgam a malpractice(!) and forced its members to abstain from using amalgams.

Proponents of amalgam continued to claim that dental amalgam was safe because it was supposedly inert in the filling. As dental amalgam was less expensive and easier to work with than standard gold fillings, it was not long before dental amalgam was routinely used by most dentists.

In 1926, Dr. Alfred Stock showed that mercury vapor escapes from amalgam fillings and that this could cause significant health damage. The American Dental Association (ADA) vigorously defended dental amalgam as being safe and its widespread use was continued.

In 1986, the ADA finally admitted that mercury vapor escapes from the amalgam fillings. But the ADA remained adamant that amalgams were safe, and in 1986 it changed its code of ethics, making it unethical for dentists to inform patients of the health risks of amalgams or to recommend removal of amalgams

In 2008 the FDA admitted that dental amalgam can cause health problems.

Norway, Denmark and Sweden have ended use of mercury fillings and many dental schools no longer teach mercury placement. Germany, Canada, and California require mercury toxicity warnings to be given to pregnant women.

There are healthier alternatives to dental amalgam such as composite resin (white) fillings, porcelain, and glass ionomers. Gold is not a good alternative as it produces electrical currents within your mouth.

Improve your health by having your amalgam fillings removed!

The mounting body of scientific evidence against dental amalgam is finally creating extensive public concern. It is only a matter of time before dental amalgam fillings are banned.

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This Video is Courtesy of HealthRanger7
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You and Your Dentist… Is It A Healthy Relationship?

Episode 18 of Dangers in Dentistry originally aired on KPRZ in San Diego.

Do you know how often — and to what extent — you’re exposed to highly toxic elemental mercury? From fish to your teeth, the threat of mercury in your body is completely real, and relatively preventable… find out how to protect yourself in this week’s episode of Dangers in Dentistry.

Also in this episode, Dr. Marvin and guest expert Jared Young give you the inside knowledge you need on how the practice of dentistry can impact your overall well-being. They discuss the often confusing and sometimes frustrating relationship that exists between you and your dentist. Does your dentist listen to the requests you have about your health? And that doesn’t mean just your oral health, but your entire overall body health? Did you know that too many dentists and doctors may not spend enough time educating themselves on new techniques and new research available before they approach you?

Gain a new perspective on your health and relationship with your dentist in this week’s episode of Dangers in Dentistry, with America’s Holistic Dentist, Dr. Marvin.

Enjoy!
Dr. Marvin
San Diego, Encinitas Holistic and Natural Dentist

The Links Between a Healthy Pregnancy and Your Healthy Teeth

Episode 17 of Dangers in Dentistry, originally aired on KPRZ in San Diego.

We all know that mercury is dangerous for a developing fetus or young child (which is why the FDA warns against pregnant and/or nursing women consuming certain types of fish). But what about mercury that may already be in your mouth?

If you or someone you know is pregnant or nursing, you need to know the truth about the affects of mercury fillings during pregnancy (hint: if you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, visit the dentist before). You also should know about the affects of pregnancy on your teeth (for instance, did you know that many women develop tooth decay problems during and/or after pregnancy?).

Get the inside scoop on pregnancy and your teeth in this week’s episode of Dangers in Dentistry, with America’s Holistic Dentist, Dr. Marvin.

Enjoy!
Dr. Marvin
San Diego, Encinitas Holistic and Natural Dentist

What is Holistic Dentistry… and Why Should You Care?

Episode 16 of Dangers in Dentistry, originally aired on KPRZ in San Diego.

Holistic dentistry. It’s a term that gets tossed around a lot. But what does it actually mean? Is it just another fad or way to charge more? Well, this episode of Dangers in Dentistry will give you the answers you need to make an informed decision.

Holistic dentistry is science-based dentistry that looks at the mouth’s affect on the whole body. Rather than focusing on the topical problem, we seek out the root cause and develop treatment based on the idea that what goes into the mouth affects the body.

Find out more about holistic dentistry in this week’s episode of Dangers in Dentistry, with America’s Holistic Dentist, Dr. Marvin.

Enjoy!
Dr. Marvin
San Diego, Encinitas Holistic and Natural Dentist

Is Stress Taking it’s Toll on Your Teeth?

Bruxism can create up to 10 times more pressure on your molars than chewing

The economy is bad. Unemployment is high. Real estate values are low… It’s a stressful time for many — if not most — families in America right now. But who’s taking the worst of it? Who — or what — is the biggest punching bag for all our stress? It’s possibly our teeth.

In a recent New York Times article (When Stress Takes a Toll on Your Teeth, By Camille Sweeney, October 7, 2009), Manhattan dentist Dr. Robert Rawdin, reported to have seen “20 to 25 percent more patients with teeth grinding symptoms in the last year. And in San Diego, Dr. Gerald McCracken said that over the last 18 months his number of cases had more than doubled.”

“We’re finding in a lot of double-income families, we have the people who have lost jobs and are worried, and then we have the spouse, who still has the job, with the added pressure and uncertainty,” Dr. McCracken said. “This can cause some real grinding at night.”

Teeth grinding — or Bruxism — is an unconscious act, so most people don’t know they grind their teeth. In fact, most grinders are night grinders, rubbing away at their teeth as they sleep. The only way to distinguish what’s going on is symptomatic. Jaw and facial pain, headaches and earaches are some of the most commonly reported. Perhaps the most damaging affect, however, is the physical wear on the teeth.

Teeth grinders can exert as much as 10 times the amount of pressure on their teeth when the are sleeping as they do when they are eating. Not coincidentally, they can also wear away the enamel on their teeth 10 times faster. Since we only get one set of “adult” teeth that are expected to last us a lifetime, the long term affects of severe tooth wear can be devastating.

So what’s the solution? On the high-end is veneers. Expensive, veneers can repair the look and functionality of your teeth. Unfortunately, veneers won’t help solve the root problem: you’ll still grind your teeth. The most common solution is an occlusal splint, or night guard.

Custom night guards can not only help stop the grinding, they can actually help train the muscles to stop the grinding motion altogether for some patients, eliminating the long term need for the guard.  Night guards are not all the same.  We fabricate guards the fit the lower teeth and are adjusted to the proper bite alignment.

While inexpensive night guards are available over the counter, many are made of soft plastics that can actually increase the chewing and grinding action, compounding the problem.  That’s right, run of the mill guards can make things worse!

Stress can affect us all in different ways, but one of the more common manifestations is the grinding of our teeth. If your teeth show wear in your molars or anywhere else — whether you’re stressed or not — or if you’re getting frequent facial pain or headaches, see a dentist. While over the counter and prescription pain medications can alleviate the pain, they will do nothing to solve the problem, which may well be rooted in your teeth.