root wellness+nutrition, northampton ma

Designated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to be a waste disposal hazard, this substance can’t be thrown in the trash, buried in the ground, flushed down a drain, or put into a landfill. It is more toxic than arsenic, and in fact, it is disposed of in “Hazardous Waste” bins…. but it is put into your mouth…

Does it make sense that something deemed hazardous waste can be put into our mouths? Even mercury thermometers need to be disposed of in a safe and specific manner. Mercury amalgam fillings have been used since the 1820s, and are the most harmful and toxic of all dental restoration metals. It has been recognized as a poison since the 1500s, but somehow is still part of modern dentistry.

The ADA (American Dental Association) refuses to ban amalgams, but requires dentists to “know the potential hazards and symptoms of mercury exposure, such as the development of sensitivity and neuropathy,” to use a no-touch technique for handling the amalgam, and to store it under liquid, preferably glycerin or radioactive fixer solution, in unbreakable, tightly seal containers.

Studies by the World Health Organization show that a single filling can release 3-17 micrograms of mercury per day, making it the major source of mercury exposure, above fish (which is where most of the focus is placed). There have been no studies in the US on the safety of mercury in dental work, yet when it leaks from the teeth it can cause both physical and mental problems.

The following represents a summary of 6 different studies evaluating the health effects of replacing mercury dental fillings with non-mercury filings:

Symptom:  % Cured/Improved

• Allergies: 89%
• Anxiety: 93%
• Bad Temper: 84%
• Bloating: 80%
• Blood Pressure Problems: 54%
• Chest Pains: 87%
• Depression: 91%
• Dizziness: 88%
• Fatigue: 86% 
• Intestinal Problems: 83%
• Gum Problems: 94%
• Headaches: 87%
• Insomnia: 78%
• Irregular Heartbeat: 87% 
• Irritability: 90% 
• Lack of Concentration: 80% 
• Lack of Energy: 97% 
• Memory Loss: 73% 
• Metallic taste: 95% 
• Multiple Sclerosis: 76% 
• Muscle Tremor: 82%

According to Dr. Charles Gableman, MD of Encinitas CA, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, lack of resistance to infections, allergies, and thyroid dysfunction all improve after their fillings are properly removed.

In the same way that people react adversely to prescription medications, some people react negatively to dental materials, but the reaction is not an acute short term reaction so the reaction is missed. This bio-incompatibility can lead to severe allergic reactions, including food allergies, can contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, headaches, neurological illnesses, disturbances of the immune system, chronic inflammatory changes (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia) and intractable pain syndrome.

Mercury is a cumulative poison building up in the body with repeated exposure caused by chewing, brushing your teeth, extreme hot and cold temperatures, etc. It can pass through any tissue in the body. It disrupts normal metabolism anywhere it goes, crossing the placental barrier and the blood-brain barrier; therefore, it can be invoved in almost any disorder. The following are disorders and symptoms implicated in mercury poisoning:

• autoimmune diseases
• multiple sclerosis (8x higher mercury levels in cerebrospinal fluid) as compared to neurologically healthy patients
• arthritis
• anxiety
• depression
• confusion
• irritability
• inability to concentrate
• kidney disease
• cardiac and respiratory disorders
• eczema
• headaches
• asthma
• endocrine gland disfunction
• hormonal imbalances
• digestive problems
• menstrual disturbances
• spontaneous abortions
• tremors, shaking, tingling, numbness
• Alzheimer’s
• cancer
• diabetes
• heart disease
• leukemia
• lupus
• Parkinson’s
• reduced sexual vitality

Specific nutrition protocols can be useful in lessening mercury absorption and poisoning, but no amount of nutritional influence can eliminate mercury poisoning. Therefore, it is necessary to have mercury fillings properly removed by a specially trained dentist. You can find one near you here.

Seeking nutrition counseling before, during, and after the procedure is necessary to properly prepare your body to eliminate the mercury that is released during the procedure. It’s virtually impossible to avoid all mercury contamination when removing amalgam fillings, but proper preparations help to minimize exposure and toxicity due to re-absorption of the mercury.

And if mercury is not bad enough, research has demonstrated that 100% of root canals result in residual infection. “Extraction of root canal teeth should be the first thought when considering the health of the patient”, says Dr. Huggins. Dr. Weston Price, DDS, found that toxins seeping out of root canals may cause systemic diseases of the heart, kidney, uterus, and nervous and endocrine systems.

Interestingly, Dr. Gleditsch discovered that there are specific oral acupuncture points related to each tooth. The total of these oral acupuncture points forms a complete microsystem with a clear reference to the system of acupuncture meridians. If a tooth becomes infected or disease, the organ on the same meridian could also become unhealthy. The opposite could also be true; that a dysfunction in a specific organ could lead to a problem in the corresponding tooth. See the acupuncture points and how each tooth relates to a specific organ here.

If you are interested in seeing how much vapor is actually emitted from a filling, watch this video.