In the wake of a three-year campaign driven by Consumers for Dental Choice, the FDA has issued a safety communication recommending against amalgam use in people who are at higher risk from the adverse effects of mercury exposure.
In an about-face to its previous stance regarding amalgam (mercury) fillings for pregnant women, children, and other individuals who could be adversely affected by amalgam, on September 24, 2020, the FDA issued updated recommendations to its guidelines on amalgam.
“The FDA has found that certain groups may be at greater risk for potential harmful health effects of mercury vapor released from the device (amalgam). As a result, the agency is recommending certain high-risk groups avoid getting dental amalgam whenever possible and appropriate. These uncertainties in the most vulnerable patients are why today we are recommending people who may be at high risk for adverse health effects of mercury exposure use non-mercury alternatives to dental amalgam.”
Groups the FDA said may be at higher risk or harmful effects of amalgam include:
- Pregnant women and their developing fetuses;
- Women who are planning to become pregnant;
- Nursing women and their newborns and infants;
- Children, especially those younger than six years of age;
- People with pre-existing neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease
- People with impaired kidney function; and
- People with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam.
This list encompasses a significant part of the American population. As such, the FDA’s action has the potential to protect millions and millions of Americans from mercury in their mouths.
The IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology, who has demanded more stringent protection from dental mercury for more than three decades, is now calling on the FDA for even more protection for all dental patients.
Atlanta Dental Wellness practices only biocompatible dentistry. We have been a mercury-free and mercury-safe (removal) dental practice for more than 30 years. Our dentists are IAOMT trained and SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal Technique) certified. We believe the well-being of the mouth is an integral part of your overall health.
Sources: U.S. FDA 9/24/2020, IAOMT 9/25/2020