Your Toxic Teeth

by Charles E. Warlick, Jr., D.D.S.

A Book Review: Part 1 - In October, 2000, Murray Vimy, D.M.D., issued the fourth edition of his book called Your Toxic Teeth. Dr. Vimy is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. He was a featured guest on a CBS News 60 Minutes documentary entitled, Is There a Poison in Your Mouth? Dr. Vimy’s book places the issue of dental “silver” fillings under the microscope of medical science.

Dr. Vimy says that the term “silver filling” is misleading since “a silver filling contains 50% pure mercury”. He claims that it is impossible to have a mercury filling that does not break down. He quotes an animal study that demonstrates that mercury coming from new dental fillings can be found in all tissues after 30 days.

According to Dr. Vimy the Environmental Protection Agency defines scrap mercury filling material as a biohazard waste. Yet, he observes, the dental profession considers this material to be absolutely safe in your mouth.

Dr. Vimy says that mercury exposure can cause a variety of seemingly unrelated symptoms and is thus known as the “great masquerader”. Physicians can have a difficult time arriving at a correct diagnosis of mercury-induced illnesses since the symptoms are so similar to other medical conditions. Dr. Vimy notes that mercury exposure has not been identified as the sole cause of any specific medical illness, except for mercury poisoning. He provides a long list of possible symptoms of mercury exposure such as: bleeding gums, loose teeth, gastrointestinal problems, chronic headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and respiratory problems. However, he points out that it is faulty logic to assume that all diseases are caused by mercury exposure.

Part 2 of this book review will discuss Dr. Vimy’s views on chemically sensitive patients and alternatives to mercury fillings. His book can be purchased through the Family Dental Center.

Dr. Warlick has been practicing full service dentistry in Wimberley since 1979 at the Family Dental Center located at 14305 North Ranch Road 12 – 847-3556.

C: Hill Country News – Your Toxic Teeth