Can Mercury Fillings Affect Your Gum Health?

Understanding the Connection Between Dental Amalgams and Periodontal Disease

by Shoshannah Phoenix

What Are Mercury Fillings?

Dental amalgams (often called “silver fillings”) contain about 50% mercury, mixed with other metals like silver, tin, and copper. They’ve been used in dentistry for decades to fill cavities.

How Might Mercury Affect Your Gums?

Even though they are common, mercury fillings may contribute to gum disease in the following ways:

1. Chronic Inflammation

Mercury releases low levels of vapour that can be absorbed into your tissues. This may cause chronic inflammation, a major driver of gum disease, which leads to red, swollen, or bleeding gums.

2. Weakened Immune Response

Mercury can disrupt your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight the bacteria that cause gum infections and plaque buildup.

3. Harm to Healthy Oral Bacteria

Your mouth has a natural balance of good and bad bacteria. Mercury may harm beneficial bacteria, tipping the balance toward those that cause gum disease.

4. Impaired Detox Pathways

Your body uses nutrients like glutathione, B vitamins, and zinc to detoxify mercury. If your detox system is overwhelmed or genetically weak, mercury can linger in your body, including gum tissues.

5. Sensitivity in Some People

Some people have genetic traits (like MTHFR or GST mutations) that make them more sensitive to mercury. These individuals may be more prone to gum issues when exposed to mercury fillings.

What You Can Do, and how can I help you?

• Consider having your genes tested, which I can do for you, to look at your susceptibility to issues caused by Mercury, and your detoxification processes.

• Consider testing for mercury levels.

• Support your detoxification with nutrients like vitamin C, selenium, B vitamins, and glutathione, which we can discuss.

• Work with a biological dentist if you’re considering the safe removal of mercury fillings, which we can discuss.

• Maintain excellent oral hygiene and use natural mouth rinses to support a healthy microbiome.

• Eat anti-inflammatory foods to reduce gum swelling and support your immune system.

• Let's discuss any general issues you might have that might be caused by your mercury fillings or gum disease, and I can treat any symptoms with my homeopathic remedies and herbal potions. That's what I do.

Final Thought:

Not everyone with mercury fillings will develop gum disease, but if you have chronic gum issues or suspect toxicity, exploring the role of mercury may be an important piece of your health puzzle. And I can help you with that too. I can help you heal holistically.