Cavities top the list of the most common dental problems that can necessitate a visit to a holistic dentist in Los Angeles. Fortunately, these are easy to treat with fillings. Dental fillings can assist in reducing toothache and stopping the spread of decay.
Traditionally, dentists have used amalgam fillings to help deal with cavities. However, several issues have arisen over the years related to their use, leading to a renewed push to use mercury-free fillings. For the uninitiated, these fillings contain mercury, which produces gas when rubbed.
What Are More Dentists Recommending Mercury-Free Fillings?
Typical amalgam fillings contain the elemental metal mercury and a host of other metals. The renewed push for the use of mercury-free fillings has to do with the health risks arising from prolonged exposure to mercury. Some patients also believe they’re more aesthetically pleasing.
Health Concerns Linked to Amalgam Fillings
Mercury is listed as one of the leading health concerns in the world by the World Health Organization. This elemental metal can pose diverse risks to your immune, digestive, and nervous systems. Mercury can also target specific organs such as the kidneys, eyes, and skin.
Data from the Environment Protection Agency shows that exposure to even the tiniest bits of mercury can release small amounts of mercury vapor. These statistics make amalgam fillings dangerous, especially to those accustomed to grinding their teeth.
Aesthetic Concerns
The second reason mercury-free fillings have become a hit with patients is aesthetic concerns. We sometimes refer to them as tooth-colored, resin, or composite fillings. These fillings stand out as they don’t have the tell-tale silver look of amalgam fillings.
Therefore, no one can tell whether you have a filling or not. This leaves you free to talk and smile with confidence in public.
7 Benefits of Mercury-Free Fillings
For patients concerned about their health and overall look, mercury-free fillings are the way to go. Their benefits include:
1. Safer for You and Your Dentist
Amalgam exposes our dentists to mercury. Prolonged exposure to this elemental metal can lead to various health concerns, including neurological disorders. With time, you may begin to display certain symptoms, which will vary depending on your age and health status.
As a holistic dental facility in Los Angeles, we are dedicated to creating a safe environment for our patients and personnel. Therefore, you can trust that we will always recommend a solution that won’t affect your general well-being.
2. There Are Stronger, Better Options
We love composite fillings because they look and feel like a natural tooth. Our dentist can install them in a manner that helps strengthen the already damaged tooth.
Amalgam fillings, on the other hand, tend to shrink or break off after a few years. This will not only damage your tooth, but it may also allow bacteria to penetrate your cavity. Exposure to bacteria will cause decay, which will worsen your situation.
3. Better for Expectant Women
It’s well known that the dietary composition of a pregnant woman can affect the unborn child. This means that any exposure to chemicals or metals may also impact their health.
Amalgam fillings containing mercury can pose a risk to a developing child. For this reason, we advise all pregnant women to consider mercury-free fillings when having a cavity fixed. While at it, it may also be a good idea to avoid other harmful habits such as smoking and drinking.
4. Safer for the Environment
Mercury is an elemental metal that can easily find its way into water systems. For example, a dental office using amalgam fillings can unknowingly send it out to water systems when cleaning its apparatus.
Once let out, this mercury will pollute the surroundings before contaminating nearby communal water sources. Ensuring it’s no longer used in dental offices is a great step towards promoting environmental sustainability.
5. It Leaves You with a Natural Looking Smile
A few years ago, it was easy to know when a person got a dental procedure done. Amalgam fillings have a silver appearance, which is easily noticeable when smiling.
Opting for a mercury-free filling will leave you free to speak and smile in public without worrying about people inquiring about past dental work. These fillings will blend in with your natural teeth, giving you an aesthetically pleasing smile.
6. Healthier Option
Mercury is a toxic elemental metal. Its use in dental fillings contributes to an unsafe practice. Therefore, anyone concerned about patient health should stop using it. Researchers have proven that it can have diverse effects on respiratory, cardiac, urinary, and immune systems.
Furthermore, this metal can vaporize when stored at room temperature. Given that it’s colorless, tasteless, and odorless, this can put everyone in that room in danger. The only way to prevent it from getting absorbed into the bloodstream unknowingly is to stop using it in dental procedures.
7. It’s the Safest Method for Dealing with Cavities
Existing research suggests that prolonged exposure to mercury can lead to permanent damage to your immune and gastrointestinal systems. And did you know that it only takes a total of seven amalgam fillings to attain toxic levels of mercury?
Important Point to Consider
Dentists have used amalgam fillings for years to help deal with cavities. However, times are changing, and patients now have more options to choose from, including porcelain and resin. As a patient, you need to learn about the various options available to you.
If you already have amalgam fillings, you should consider having your holistic dentist in Los Angeles change them into something eco-friendly. But before you do so, make sure to consult with an experienced dentist. A consultation can help reduce the risk of exposure to mercury vapor.
Conclusion
Anyone with a dental cavity can benefit from a mercury-free filling. It’s also advantageous to consider it if you’re interested in getting an aesthetically pleasing smile. A mercury-free filling will assist in preventing the spread of decay and can also safeguard you from developing more complex health issues in future.
To learn more about the benefits of mercury-free fillings, contact a holistic dentist in Los Angeles today!
