Did you know that the FDA proposed restricting mercury amalgam dental fillings back in 2011? If that comes as a surprise, don’t feel bad. We didn’t know about it either, and we pay close attention to such things.
According to an investigative report by Greg Gordon for McClatchy Newspapers,
“Senior U.S. health officials have squelched a Food and Drug Administration proposal that for the first time would have curbed dentists’ use of mercury – one of the planet’s nastiest toxins because it attacks the central nervous system – in treating Americans’ decayed teeth.”
The People’s Pharmacy & Silver Fillings
Over 25 years ago we were concerned enough about the potential toxicity of mercury amalgam dental fillings to start interviewing dentists about the issue on our radio show. Michael Fleming, DDS, was one of the first dentists to express concern that so-called silver fillings might be harmful to people’s health on The People’s Pharmacy (February 11, 1989).
Other dentists, especially those linked to dental schools or the American Dental Association (ADA), reassured our listeners that there was nothing to worry about. The argument seemed to be that mercury had been used in dental amalgams for decades and there was no clear evidence of harm. Basically it was a “don’t worry, be happy” kind of message.
Mercury Toxicity?
But we were worried. Mercury is nasty stuff. There was evidence years ago that if someone had silver fillings and chewed food, some mercury vapor could be inhaled into the lungs. By the way, how could anyone not chew food with mercury amalgams? When such fillings are removed, it is pretty clear that they are no longer in their original condition. The amalgams wear down and the mercury presumably ends up somewhere…most likely, in the body.
Although no one likes to state this publicly, we suspect that one reason mercury amalgam fillings remain popular with the ADA is that some dentists find them less expensive and easier to place than composite fillings. Then there is the huge unspoken concern about legal liability. Were the ADA to agree that silver fillings were unsafe, there might be a flood of lawsuits from people claiming they had been harmed by the mercury in their fillings.
The FDA’s Checkered Track Record on Amalgams
For a long time the FDA has apparently been telling the American public that there is nothing to worry about when it comes to mercury fillings. In 2009 such “dental devices” were declared safe and effective. This past winter the FDA denied petitions seeking to ban amalgams on the grounds that the mercury was harmful to the kidneys and could also cause neurological diseases.
The FDA’s position seems to have been that there was inadequate evidence demonstrating harm from mercury in amalgams. Consequently, “don’t worry, be happy.”
The Big Secret U-Turn
At the same time that the FDA was denying petitions to restrict mercury amalgam fillings, top leaders within the agency were, according to Greg Gordon, crafting a proposal that would have advised dentists to stop using mercury-containing fillings in pregnant or nursing women, young children or people with neurological diseases. Mr. Gordon reports that:
“It also urged dentists to avoid using fillings that contain mercury compounds in any patient, where possible.”
What Happened to the Secret Proposal?
Although some FDA officials were beginning to have second thoughts about the safety of mercury-containing amalgam fillings, the leaders at the Department of Health and Human Services were not on board with the reversal. Remember that the people in charge at HHS are FDA’s bosses. From what we can glean, these people decided to reject the new policy from the FDA and keep it hush-hush.
Mercury Toxicity?
How dangerous are amalgam fillings? The ADA position still seems to be that the mercury in such silver fillings stays put and is not worrisome. The counter-argument is that mercury is absorbed into the body gradually over decades and can lead to a range of harms. In particular, there is worry that mercury accumulates in kidneys and brain. Some studies suggest that excess mercury may contribute to dementia.
A recent review in the journal Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience (April 10, 2015) had this to say about mercury and Alzheimer’s disease:
“Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal with a high potential to cause neurotoxicity. Early studies about Minamata and Iraq disasters led us to understand the neurotoxicity of this metal. It is widely accepted that Hg disrupts the brain development and produces cognitive and motor disabilities, and in adults, Hg exposure produces memory loss and cognitive alterations. An early study suggested a link between Hg exposure and AD.”
The Bottom Line
The final word is not yet in on the safety or harm of mercury-containing dental fillings. What concerns us the most, however, is that the secret FDA proposal to limit exposures to mercury was squelched by HHS. Why did that happen? Who made this decision? And where is the research to decide this debate once and for all? Without good data, we cannot make intelligent decisions about our health.
What is your experience with silver fillings? If you have any thoughts on this topic, please share them below in the comment section. We would also be grateful if you would vote on this article at the top of the page.
