More About Mercury Fillings
How Mercury Causes Brain Neuron Degeneration

One of the principal criticisms leveled at dentists who raise a flag of caution about mercury-silver fillings is that their concerns are "un-scientific" and alarmist. There is a suggestion that some dentists are simply "faddists" who prefer tooth-colored fillings because they can charge more for them and not because of any real or established health risks.

Whereas, various governmental organizations have acknowledged health concerns (only to sometimes reverse their opinions, or even contradict their own experts), it appears that more research still needs to be conducted in order to lay this issue to rest. It may surprise some people to learn that the controversy over the use of mercury in fillings has raged for almost as long as organized dentistry has been around in the United States. In fact, early dental societies even disbanded over disputes concerning whether or not mercury should be used as a component of dental filling materials. The original groups are reported to have asked dentists to sign a pledge that they would never place this toxic material in a person's mouth. Advocates of mercury fillings as the best restorative material won the day and formed the new dental societies that still set the standards of usage today.

It is an historical point of interest that the term "Quack," meaning a practitioner who suggests the use of substances or devices for the prevention or treatment of disease that are known to be ineffective (from MedicineNet.com) -- is derived from this original controversy. Quecksilber is the German term for "quicksilver" or mercury. Thus, early advocates of quicksilver or mercury fillings were known as the "quacks," from a variation of the German word.

For those interested in viewing some references concerning the "safety" of mercury fillings please CLICK HERE.

You may also find the following video to be of interest:

  How Mercury Causes Brain Neuron Degeneration

by Richard J. Walicki, DMD - October 11, 2009

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Dr. Richard J. Walicki is a mercury-free Philadelphia dentist providing both general and cosmetic dentistry services.

Source: http://www.ToothWiz.com