Mercury Poisoning Symptoms and Dental Amalgam Fillings

Exposure to this extremely poisonous metal, which is known to be harmful to the human body even at low quantities, can result in symptoms of mercury poisoning. Keep in mind that elemental (metallic) mercury, the same kind of mercury found in some thermometers (many of which are prohibited), is the kind of mercury utilized in amalgam fillings. On the other hand, methylmercury is found in fish, and ethylmercury is found in the vaccine preservative thimerosal. The symptoms of mercury poisoning brought on by elemental (metallic) mercury vapor—the kind of mercury emitted from dental amalgam fillings.

Dental amalgam fillings are all silver in color, and they contain around 50% mercury. Dental amalgam fillings constantly release mercury vapor, much of which is absorbed and stored in the body. The total number of fillings as well as other activities like chewing, grinding teeth, and drinking hot drinks might increase the amount of mercury released. It is also known that mercury can be released when dental amalgam fillings are inserted, removed, and replaced.

Mercury can build up in almost any organ in the body, which contributes to the vast spectrum of symptoms. About 80% of the mercury vapor from dental amalgam fillings is thought to be taken up by the lungs and distributed throughout the body, especially to the kidney, liver, brain, and gastrointestinal system. Mercury that has been deposited in the brain can have a half-life of several decades, depending on the level of oxidation and the organ in which the mercury was deposited.

Each person has different toxic effects from this mercury exposure, and symptoms may manifest as one or a combination of symptoms that shift over time. This individualized response to dental mercury is influenced by a variety of co-occurring factors, such as the existence of other medical disorders, the quantity of amalgam fillings in the mouth, gender, genetic susceptibility, dental plaque, lead exposure, milk, alcohol, or seafood consumption, and more.

The effects of these exposures are even more harmful because, in addition to the fact that each person reacts differently to mercury, it can take years for symptoms of mercury poisoning to appear, and prior exposures may not be linked to mercury poisoning, particularly if they were relatively low-level and chronic (as is frequently the case with dental amalgam fillings).