Should I be worried about my amalgam fillings?

amalgam

In today’s Internet age, with a seemingly infinite amount of information available, it sometimes seems harder than ever to find a definitive answer to even a simple question. Health-related matters are often the most widely covered subjects, which makes sifting through the various sources and opinions even more difficult. A perfect example of this is the controversy over the safety of amalgam fillings, used by dentists worldwide for more than one hundred and ninety years. The purpose of this article is to briefly discuss why the controversy exists and to provide some facts from authoritative sources.

Amalgam Overview
Amalgam fillings are composed of a powdered alloy, consisting primarily of:

  • Silver
  • Tin
  • Copper

This mixture is added to liquid mercury to bind the alloy particles together and form the amalgam, which is where the controversy begins. Ingesting mercury can cause health problems.

The Controversy
Opponents of mercury-based amalgam fillings suggest that the mercury can leach from the filling into the body, causing mercury poisoning. Thanks to the Internet, the controversy has spread quickly and become a concern for many people. Dentists often receive requests to remove the fillings and replace them with another material. Though dentists often comply with their patients’ wishes, most dentists agree that the fillings pose no harm and removal is unnecessary. 

Current Research and Opinion
Extensive research by governments and universities has revealed no negative effects caused by mercury amalgam. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires dentists to warn patients, but only due to possible allergic reactions and not possible mercury poisoning, The FDA considers fillings safe for anyone age six and older. The Australian Dental Association’s official stance on amalgam fillings is: 
“Dental amalgam has been used as a dental restorative material for more than 150 years. It has proved to be a durable, safe and effective material which has been the subject of extensive research over this time”. And “There is no evidence to support an association between the presence of amalgam restorations and chronic degenerative diseases, kidney disease, autoimmune disease, cognitive function, adverse pregnancy outcomes or any non-specific symptoms.”
https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Professionals/Policies/Dental-Practice/6-18-Safety-of-Dental-Amalgam/ADAPolicies_6-18_SafetyofDentalAmalgam_V1.aspx

Why Use Other Materials?
People often wonder why some dentists don’t use amalgam if they consider it safe. The simple answer is that other better materials are now available, such as white fillings.

Conclusion
As it currently stands, there’s no indication that amalgam fillings pose any health risk. The material is strong and long-lasting, making it a good choice for many people. More and more dentists are moving away from the material, but usually not from fear of its toxicity, rather because modern materials offer other benefits, particularly cosmetic ones.

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Why 6-monthly dental check-ups are so important

dental checkup

It’s that time of the year again – seeing your dentist. You may not want to go, and may even consider cancelling the appointment, but don’t! Your dentist holds one of the keys to your overall health, both in the short- and long-term. If you remain undecided, here are four key reasons why your dental check-up is so important for your health:

They can address plaque, tartar, and cavities.
Even if you brush and floss diligently, plaque and tartar can still build up in your mouth. Regular cleanings help remove them before they lead to permanent gum damage. And a cleaning will cost less than filling a cavity. However, if your dentist does detect the start of any cavities, they can fill them before they get larger and cost more.

They can detect oral cancer and other issues under the skin.
Did you know that your dentist is trained in detecting many types of cancers such as oral cancer? Detecting cancer early is crucial in getting treatment and beating it. If not diagnosed in time, oral cancer can spread quickly, but if caught early enough, the prognosis can be very good. And what’s more, you may not recognize or even experience any obvious symptoms, but your dentist can, either visually or through X-rays. So make that dental check-up!

They can address gum disease.
Cavities aren’t the only thing that plaque and tartar can cause – gum disease is another serious issue. When your gums get swollen and infected due to plaque and tartar buildup, the infection – known as gingivitis – can seriously affect your gums and cause them to erode. This happens when gingivitis develops into full blown periodontal disease.
With regular checkups, your dentist can detect and address the early stages of gum disease to keep your gums and teeth as healthy as possible.

Discourage bad habits
Your part in dental care isn’t just about brushing and flossing. Anything that you put in your mouth has the potential to cause damage. We all know about sugary foods and drinks, but there’s more than that. Drinking coffee, tea, acidic beverages and alcohol; chewing gum; grinding your teeth; chewing ice; and smoking cigarettes and marijuana can all affect your dental health.
Your dentist can tell you exactly what the consequences of these actions are, and offer advice about the ways you can stop or at least decrease these habits. We are here to help not to make you feel guilty.

Additional Text
Make that call! If you think that missing an appointment is not that big of an issue, you would be wrong. Your dentist can find issues that not only affect your mouth but can also help detect other issues in your body that affect your dental health. Make that appointment today, and your overall health – not just your teeth – will thank you.

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Dr Martin Jest Dental Surgery COVID-19 Pandemic news update 27/03/2020

COVID-19 Update: Dr Martin Jest Dental surgery open for emergencies only to minimise risks to staff and to do our bit in preventing cross infection in the community

Emergency Dental Treatment only

Heeding advice from the Australian Dental Association Queensland Branch we are now keeping open only for emergency dental treatment. We are also undertaking a few minor procedures that are aerosol free.

The problem of aerosols

Many dental procedures generate an aerosol. An aerosol is a spray of water that picks up potential virus particles in the mouth and lifts them into the air right where the dentist and dental nurse work. This means that if we have a patient with COVID-19 who is shedding virus particles they are very likely to be lifted into the air and possibly inhaled by myself or my staff (even though we use surgical facemasks) and also contaminate the surgery surfaces.

The chance of cross contamination between patients is slim because of our Infection Control policies which include barrier wrapping, sterilization of equipment, use of disposables and disinfection of surfaces between patients. We also social distance, screen for health before allowing entrance to the surgery building and regularly disinfect surfaces, doorhandles etc.

We are acting early for all our good

At this stage in the Pandemic we are acting early and not risking cross infection, consequently we will be treating emergency patients only from 27/3/2002 and even then, minimise aerosol production by using different dental techniques – use of a dental dam, and even then minimising aerosol production.

If you have any questions please ask. We are only a phone call away.

Do you have an emergency?

If you have a dental emergency we will triage and treat you if appropriate, after checking your general health status and making sure you don’t have a fever, cough, or any of the other COVID-19 symptoms. We will be here to help if we possibly can under our infection control management plan. Keep well, wash those hands and social distance to stay safe in these troubling times.

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COVID-19 Is it still okay to come to the dentist?

Read more
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No Gap Check-Up Or 50% Off Usual Fees For Kids

Let the kids tag along! 

We would be honored to be your family dentist. With our ethos of gentle care, you can trust that we will strive to make your child’s dental visits as pleasant and positive as possible. 

Book in your child’s first visit with us together with your appointment and pay no gap on their visit (for those with private health cover) or 50% off usual fees (for those without private health cover/not covered by the Child Dental Benefit Scheme). 

Call us today at (07) 3359 1996 or book a consultation below to start creating good dental habits. 

Terms and Conditions 

  • The offer is for a child’s check-up and clean with fluoride (value up to $171). 
  • If you have private health cover, please check with your health fund if your child is eligible for benefits for this treatment. 
  • We bulk bill eligible children on the Child Dental Benefit Scheme. Please let us know if you’d like for us to check your child’s eligibility when you make your appointment. 
  • The offer is applicable only to children who are new patients. Adults may be new or existing patients but must be the guardian of the child. 
  • The child’s appointment must be booked together with the adult’s appointment. The appointments must be on the same day. 
  • To redeem this offer, patients must mention the promotion when booking their appointments. 
  • Promotional offers are subject to appointment availability. 
  • This promotion cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. 
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What to do about a dry mouth

What if my mouth always feels dry?

If your mouth feels constantly dry, you may have a condition medically known as xerostomia, which occurs when saliva glands aren’t functioning properly. Not only can this result in drying of oral tissues and tongue, but it also causes chapped lips, sore angles of the mouth and even problems speaking.

Persistent dry mouth is detrimental to good oral health. The condition can cause an excess of bacteria-harbouring plaque that causes bad breath and tartar not to mention cavities and gum disease. Dry mouth can even make wearing dental appliances like dentures painful.

Finding out why your mouth is so dry is important. If a couple glasses of water do not give relief remember that certain Over the counter and prescription medications like antihistamines and blood pressure drugs can cause dry mouth. Check what’s in your medicine cabinet and the information sheets in your medication to see if any daily medications are the culprit. Also, other health issues such as diabetes and arthritis complications can result in a persistently dry mouth. Make sure to check with your doctor before stopping any medications you are taking that cause dry mouth – even though a dry mouth is irritating the medications may be saving your life or helping prevent other disease or illness!

Dentists vs dryness

If you feel like you’re holding the Sahara Desert in your mouth, make an appointment with your dentist for a comprehensive examination of your oral health to determine the cause. Let your dentist know what health conditions you have and take in a list of medications you’ve been taking. In the meantime, you can lessen the sticky feeling by:

  • Drinking more water
  • Limiting caffeine and tobacco consumption
  • Avoiding excess sugar and sweets
  • Using a saliva substitute/mouth moisturiser from the dentist or pharmacy

Keeping a bag of ice chips handy can also help. So does having a piece of sugar-free gum or a sugar-free lolly. Remember to double up on your daily oral health regime by rinsing, brushing and flossing more until you can get in to see your dentist.

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Dental care tips for seniors

No matter how old you are, everyone can enjoy good oral health. The better you take care of your teeth and gums, the better the chance they will remain healthy. However, as you age, you may need to make some changes in your oral care so that you keep your natural teeth for longer. Here are some tips for seniors dental care:

  1. Use more fluoridation: Teeth weaken over time. Using toothpaste or a mouth rinse that has extra fluoride can help minimise decay and keep them as strong as possible.
  2. Hydrate more: Dry mouth is more prevalent in seniors due to changes in the body as it ages. Having a dry mouth can encourage the growth of bacteria. But it is easy to address: drink more water, reduce your intake of alcohol, or chew sugar-free gum to stimulate the production of saliva.
  3. Say no to tobacco: In any form, tobacco can lead to many health problems, including throat and mouth cancer. Even though it is not common in Australia did you know that because it can contain sugar, chewing tobacco can also increase your chance of tooth decay? No tobacco is a safe amount to consume.
  4. Be aware of your medications: While your medications improve your health in most areas, in terms of your dental care, those medications can lead to dry mouth or an increase in oral fungi. Ask your doctor or dentist about your prescriptions and how they can affect your oral care.
  5. Are your dentures right for you? If you wear partial or complete dentures, you still need to be aware of your dental health! If your dentures do not fit correctly,  if you don’t allow your dentist to maintain your dentures, or if you don’t leave your dentures out at night or clean your mouth and teeth properly it can lead to the growth of fungus and cause inflammation of the gums and early tooth loss of your remaining teeth. Don’t let that happen. Most dentures need to be relined every seven years or so.
  6. Keep your glasses well maintained. Letting the prescription lapse will mean that you cannot see plaque in your mouth properly. Don’t you hate bifocal or multifocal glasses! But leave that plaque behind at your peril… We find that patients who have kept their teeth well maintained all their lives can loose control of plaque and suffer from really bad decay because they cannot see the plaque. Ask Martin about plaque dye or disclosing solution which helps you to beat it quickly!

Keeping your teeth in shape as you get older requires good oral heath care which your dentist will teach you. In addition to the tips above, you should schedule regular maintenance visits with your dentist so that they can keep on top of any developing dental issues before they become a serious problem. Preventive care is your best defence.

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