If you have metal dental fillings (amalgams) consider having them removed.  The sooner they are removed the less potential exposure to mercury you will have.

A series of news stories from June 4-6, 2008 in such publications as The Chicago Tribune, WebMD, and Reuters, reports that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally admitted that dental fillings which contain amalgams have mercury in them and may cause health problems in pregnant women, children and fetuses. 

The information on this was originally produced by the FDA in a paper dated September 7, 2006.  But the paper was voted down by the FDA and never released because the original proposed "white paper" on the topic was voted down in a 13-7 vote by a 2006 advisory panel made up of experts in dentistry and in neurology.

The information was made available and placed on the FDA website as part of the settlement with several consumer advocacy groups, including Moms Against Mercury.  In response the FDA has also agreed to alert consumers about the potential risks and create new more specific rules next year for fillings that contain mercury. 

The FDA now posts on their website, "Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses."  They continue, "Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner."  The FDA stopped short of recommending that those with amalgam fillings have them removed and replaced.

In a statement on their website (www.toxicteeth.org) Charles G. Brown, National Counsel for Consumers for Dental Choice said, "The impact of the re-writing of its (FDA) position on amalgam can hardly be understated. FDA's website will no longer be cited by the American Dental Association in public hearings. FDA shows awareness of the key issues involved. As it prepares to classify amalgam, FDA has moved to a position of neutrality. Indeed, having repeatedly raised the question of amalgam's risk to children, young women, and the immuno-sensitive persons in its website, I find it inconceivable that FDA will not in some way protect them in its upcoming rule."

For more information on mercury and your body visit:
Bullock Family Chiropractic

To find a dentist that is mercury free in your area visit:

Mercury Free Dentists

DentalWellness4u.com

ToxicTeeth.org

Talkinternational.com