Your Toxic Teeth - Part 2

-Part 2 of a Book Review by Charles E. Warlick, Jr., D.D.S.-

This is Part 2 of a book review of Your Toxic Teeth, written by Murray Vimy, D.M.D. - Dr. Vimy is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Calgary and is a featured guest on many news and current affairs programs regarding proper care of teeth.

In Part I of the book review I covered Dr. Vimy's concerns about mercury fillings. He quoted medical research showing that "silver" fillings can release mercury-containing particles and mercury vapor into your mouth all day long. He notes the EPA requires that all mercury fillings removed from teeth be treated as a biohazard waste that must be removed from the dental office by a licensed hazard control expert.

Dr. Murray discusses several options to using mercury as a filling material. Among the alternatives, he lists gold fillings, non-precious metal alloys, titanium metal alloy, porcelain, and ceramic-resins (often referred to as composites). As he points out, each of these has advantages and disadvantages, but in general he believes that composite restorations are one of the best replacements for mercury fillings.

Dr. Murray cautions against mixing metals in the mouth such as gold and mercury. He says that serious problems can result because dissimilar metals form an electrical link to each other by the saliva. For example, gold will attract electrons from the components of mercury fillings, causing corrosion (rusting). This corrosive process releases more mercury than would normally be the case. Second, the electrical currents produced can have serious effects on mouth tissue such as blistering, burning mouth, and bleeding gums.

The need for biocompatible restorative materials is especially important for chemically sensitive patients. Dr. Vimy notes that metal in the human body usually is not tolerated very well, particularly among those who are genetically compromised. When the body encounters a toxic or noxious substance, the immune system generally produces a defense against it. It is this defensive mechanism that can lead to allergic reactions, fever, mucosa, headaches, or difficulty in breathing. In some people, mercury is known to induce an immunological reaction, which in medicine is known as autoimmunity. In this situation your immune system becomes confused and proceeds to destroy your otherwise healthy tissue. While he says that mercury fillings are not the sole cause of autoimmunity, he points out that removing the source of chronic mercury exposure is a positive health choice because it removes a toxic heavy metal burden from your body's chemistry .

Dr. Vimy is pleased that certain nations such as Sweden and Germany are recommending that certain mercury compounds not be used in individuals with kidney disease, in children under age six, or in pregnant women. However, he regrets that much medical misinformation still exists regarding the issue of mercury fillings. His book is aimed at providing recommendations for the concerned patient regarding the proper protocol for replacement of "silver" fillings with alternative safer dental materials. His book can be purchased through the Family Dental Center.

Dr. Warlick has been practicing dentistry in Wimberley since 1979. He practices dentistry for the Family Dental Center, providing children and adults with full service dentistry. The Family Dental Center is located in Wimberley at 14305 North Ranch Road 12 -(512) 847-3556.

C: Hill Country News -Your Toxic Teeth - 4