Do you remember the story of "Chicken Licken", the poor, frightened creature who ran around telling everyone "The sky is falling! The sky is falling"? Well, we all know it wasn't falling, of course, but many of Licken's listeners were bewildered and scared by the bogus report.

The government, the FDA and the American Dental Association keep assuring us, "Mercury fillings are safe! Mercury fillings are safe!" Do you think maybe that’s bogus, too?

WILL THE REAL TRUTH PLEASE STAND UP

A California Superior Court judge recently directed dentists to post warnings about the dangers of mercury in dental fillings- or face fines up to $2,500.00/ day. In part, the warning reads: “… dental amalgam, used in many dental fillings, causes exposure to mercury, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm….”

Pending lawsuits in Georgia, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, California and New York charge, among other things, that the mercury in fillings are responsible for autism in children. They also charge the American Dental Association with misrepresentation of dental fillings as “silver”, when the truth is every “silver” amalgam filling in your mouth is at least 50% mercury. (If you look in your mouth and see dark fillings, these are the ones that have mercury in them.)

Common sense should tell you that mercury, a known poison, can't possibly be O.K. to put into your body. And like Chicken Licken, just because the government says it is safe doesn't make it so.

Yet this is almost beside the point, because there are materials dentists can use for fillings that are not harmful. These materials don't have the potential threat to your health that using mercury has.

SO WHY USE MERCURY FILLINGS?

Critics are always saying the tooth colored, non-mercury fillings aren't as strong. They say these non-metal fillings won't last as long as a mercury filling.

Duh? Is it a good thing that a poisonous material in your mouth lasts forever?

Besides, I have patients with non-metal fillings I placed over 20 years ago that are still working perfectly. They are plenty strong, so don't buy into that nonsense.

Common Sense tells you the sky is not falling. Let your Common Sense also tell you that putting poisons in your mouth cannot be a good thing.

WHAT'S A PERSON TO DO?

My best advice is don't have any more mercury fillings put into your mouth. But if you already have metal/mercury fillings, what are you going to do about them? Just ignoring them doesn’t make good sense.

Because of the controversy surrounding these issues, what I am going to say now is only my opinion. And my opinion is you should have the mercury fillings removed and replaced.

A growing amount of scientific study (not recognized nor accepted by the government) is showing that the mercury in the fillings "leaks out" over time- leaks out into other parts of your body, where it can cause harm. Where it can weaken your immune system.

Dr. Boyd Kelly, head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky recently reported that mercury from dental fillings leaks out from metal fillings. This mercury can end up in the brain. He and his research team feel this possibly (if not likely) contributes to Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimer’s. Probably, as more and more research is done, other conditions linked to mercury will be uncovered.

Why take such chances? Why run those risks if there are safe alternatives?

A QUICK “FAQ” ON REPLACEMENT FILLINGS

Is it hard to get the fillings replaced? NO! I have some of the biggest “fraidy cats” in the world in my practice, but they sail through this without a problem. Does it weaken your teeth? NO! We are using materials that physically and chemically bond to your own teeth. Most times, this actually makes teeth stronger, not weaker. Is it expensive? No! Especially when you compare it to the cost of hospitalization or medical treatment. Besides, if money is a problem, you can do one tooth at a time, taking as long as necessary until the mercury fillings are gone.

WHAT'S INVOLVED IN REPLACING MERCURY FILLINGS?

First, I advise everyone to start off slowly. Don't just go somewhere and have everything done at once. I like to begin with a careful health history to help me determine where to begin and where to go next. Here’s why:

Teeth are associated with other body organs along the acupuncture meridians. They don’t just exist as though they had no connection with the rest of your body. Suppose you have trouble digesting food. Maybe burning in your stomach after meals. Or a lot of gas. If any of these is the case, I might want to start by replacing mercury fillings in teeth related to the Stomach Meridian. Then, being holistic, I’d probably suggest digestive enzymes (not prescription drugs) to further help correct the situation.

Most times we give Novocain to be sure you have no pain while I take care of you. But first, the area where we are going to use anesthesia is numbed with special cream on a Q-tip. We wait long enough to let it work- no rushing- so you don't even feel the injection. This is great for people who are afraid to go to the dentist! We can use Happy Air (Nitrous Oxide) that lets you “Zone Out” if you want to. Gentle. Careful. Easy.

Your old mercury filling is removed with dental instruments and special care is taken to see that you don't inhale or swallow any of the mercury that is being taken away. The whole thing is actually quite simple and not “hurty” or difficult. Plus- the benefits to your overall health can be quite substantial.

DON'T OVERLOOK THIS OTHER, MOST IMPORTANT PROCESS

Once all the fillings are gone, then we use homeopathic and other natural remedies to neutralize and remove any mercury that may have already leaked out from the fillings. This "detoxification" should be a routine part of any program to eliminate mercury- not just from your mouth, but from everywhere in your whole body.

Leaving any mercury behind can only reduce the benefits to your health, so before you even begin, ask your dentist about his or her plans for your detoxification after the fillings are removed.

Don't be a Chicken Licken. Use your good common sense. Do something smart for yourself. Get those mercury fillings removed and replaced. If it turns out that "they" are right, no harm has come to you by replacing. But if "they" are wrong, like “they” were with hormone replacement therapy... well, you get the idea!

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

Want a dentist who understands the relationship between teeth and the rest of your body? Who is “tuned in” to Alternative Care and can look at you as more than just cleanings, cavities and X-rays? We do that. We look for causes- and never just treat symptoms. We always try to find the simplest solution.

If using natural therapy, relying more on herbs and homeopathy than drugs and surgery appeals to you, you've found a home! No need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. We won’t scold- just help.

If you have been advised to have teeth removed, or if you think things are hopeless, nobody will try harder to save you teeth than I. And “if it ain’t broke, I won’t fix it.”

So please call our office for an appointment, consultation, or a second opinion now. I'd love to be your dentist!