Amalgam Filling
This week, our subject in this corner is very different
to anything I have shared with you before. The subject is amalgam, in
other words black filling; the subject takes a different approach from
country to country and has raised arguments among dentist practitioners.
When teeth health is the issue, I always give Sweden as
an example so let me tell you about their approach. As you probably know I
am a dentist practitioner and have surgeries in Sweden, there it is
against the law to treat anyone with amalgam filling under the age of 18.
At one stage outlawing amalgam filling for good was a possibility, and for
a short period of time it was put into practice. But because there was no
suitably priced alternative the outlawing remained restricted to under
18’s only. However, unlike other treatments the Swedish government does
not provide any support to patients who chose to have the amalgam filling.
In spite of this United American Dentistry are stating that amalgam
filling is not as harmful as some people say it is, as there is no
scientific evidence to show the dangers of it, and support the use of
amalgam filling. When we take a look at the UK we can see that new dentist
practitioners are showing an interest in amalgam filling and are organizing
events on the affects of this treatment. So what is the problem that has
raised so many arguments?
Amalgam filling is combined with many bits of metal
most of, which is mercury this is the substance, which is causing most
concern on human health and raises arguments. There are a number of ways
which the substance mercury can enter the human body three of the most
frequent ways are, when the dentist is putting the felling in there is the
chance that small bits may fall off and be swallowed by the patient.
Another possibility is when the existing felling needs to be replaced, the
dentist needs to break the existing filling which can result in small bits
falling into the mouth of the patients or after the filling has been put
in while eating bits can come off and enter the body. Another possibility
of mercury entering the body is nature. The disposal of amalgam waste by
dentist or the mercury waste in the industry sometimes finds its way into
the waters where fishes feed, fishes, which are later consumed by humans.
For these reasons Sweden has a very strict method of disposing its mercury
wastes. Strict methods of disposals of these substances are on the agenda
of many other countries.
To be continued next week...