| Almost ten years ago, a group of the world's top | | | | your dentist can remove and replace numerous |
| mercury researchers announced that mercury | | | | fillings in one or two appointments. But no, |
| from amalgam fillings can permanently damage | | | | pregnant and lactating women should not have |
| the brain, kidneys, and immune system of children. | | | | amalgam fillings removed.” |
| Despite that discovery, many children today are | | | | He continues, “Mercury vapor is continuously |
| still given mercury fillings by their unsuspecting | | | | emitted from dental fillings and accumulates in the |
| parents who have not been warned about these | | | | body over time. The damaging effects of this |
| dangers. Often dentists will assume that because | | | | exposure may not manifest for years or even |
| the teeth may fall out in a few years, that there | | | | decades. Studies repeatedly demonstrate that |
| is no danger. | | | | even low levels of mercury cause measurable |
| Also, women who have mercury fillings in their | | | | adverse health effects. Mercury in the tissues of |
| teeth may jeopardize the health of their unborn | | | | a fetus or infant correlates significantly with the |
| or nursing child. Mercury poisoning is very easily | | | | number of dental amalgam fillings in the mother. |
| passed through the blood to the child either | | | | Newborns may be at risk for learning disabilities |
| through the uterus or breast milk. | | | | because of mercury their mothers absorbed |
| Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, a | | | | during pregnancy. Many physicians are testing their |
| biocompatible dentist, warns his patients of this | | | | patients for mercury toxicity and referring them |
| risk and never uses silver (mercury) amalgam for | | | | to biocompatible dentists. Across scientific |
| fillings. He is especially concerned for the young | | | | disciplines, health professionals are realizing that |
| babies of women who have old mercury fillings | | | | mercury may adversely impact patient |
| existing in their mouth. “I want women to | | | | health.” |
| understand how at risk an unborn or nursing child | | | | MAMA is a national organization – Moms |
| is, if the destructive mercury is released from | | | | Against Mercury Amalgams, that is enlightening |
| amalgam (silver) fillings. If you are thinking of | | | | mothers and mothers-to-be about the hazardous |
| pregnancy, I urge you to replace your mercury | | | | use of mercury in dental care. The website offers |
| with a biocompatible material. If planned properly, | | | | great insight for women and their families. |