Toxic Fillings : FDA Alerts Against Mercury

Now every time you go to your dentist to get your ‘pearlies’ repaired, be very sure of what stuff he fills in, to get them back in shape. For, a recent statement from the FDA alerts consumers against the use of silver colored dental fillings, which might prove harmful to pregnant women, children and foetuses, thanks to the mercury content in them.

Following a settlement to a lawsuit, the FDA having agreed to alert consumers on the issue, said yesterday on its website, that silver colored dental fillings which contain mercury are injurious to the health of pregnant women their foetuses and children too.

Dental fillings made by amalgamating several metals have as one of their dominant constituents – mercury, which has been found to have neuro toxic effects on the nervous systems. Mercury makes 50% by weight of any dental amalgam and has been in use for the past 150 years.

It thus makes all those with sensitive health conditions and weaker immune systems like pregnant women, unborn children, toddlers and those with mercury immuno- sensitivity, more susceptible to adverse sufferings due to these amalgams.

The FDA now plans to come up with concrete and more precise rulings regarding mercury in dental fillings by July 2009. As of now the agency has published messages alerting people on its official website, under the Center for Devices and Radiological Health section. However, removal of the already present silver fillings is not necessitated by the FDA.

The debate on the issue has been going on for over two years now, with FDA maintaining the stance until now, that mercury amalgams are safe. However, the teamed up lawsuit against the agency, involving non profit organizations, two public officials, three dental experts and two consumers, finally paid off.

"After 32 years of delay, the Food and Drug Administration has finally agreed to comply with the law and set a date to classify mercury amalgam as a substance that poses a health risk to pregnant women and unborn babies, and children." Says Michael Bender, one of the plaintiffs.

The FDA now plans to issue a practice of informed content to the patients getting the treatment/filling done. Not only that, the labeling also needs to be changed to prevent use by those who are most vulnerable to the toxic effects of mercury.