Mercury in Dental Fillings

Amalgam is an alloy that has been used to fill decayed teeth for a very long time. People mostly say grey fillings when referring to this kind of filling. This alloy contains silver, copper, tin and mercury.

It’s the mercury that worries people who have grey fillings in their teeth. There are dentists who totally discourage amalgam fillings, and instead recommend composite fillings, or porcelain or gold inlays.

Is it absolutely necessary to remove all your grey fillings if you have some in your mouth?

There are countries that have banned amalgam, but several professional dental associations, including the ones of Canada and the United States, that do not totally discourage amalgam use for fillings. So there is no need to be alarmed if you have grey fillings, and you can keep them in your mouth as long as they are in good shape and do not need to be changed. But when it comes time replace them, it would be preferable to chose another filling material, mainly white composite fillings, which are more aesthetic and do not contain mercury.

Full Article: Is amalgam in teeth (grey fillings) bad for your health?
In French: Mercure dans les plombages dentaires

Why is Oral Hygiene Important?

A smile is the shortest distance between two people. To make sure that your smile reflects the best about you is to practice good oral hygiene.

Teeth are important, not only for the smile and the speech, but also for their contribution to the structure of the face and the jaw. Bacterial infections that affect teeth and gums are probably the greatest threat to a healthy mouth. Bacteria can be left on teeth, or in between them, later causing tooth decay and cavities. Bacteria can also accumulate around the gums leading to gingivitis or more severe gum disease.

Regular oral hygiene is very important to eliminate bad bacteria that can cause these infections. Brushing after each meal, flossing daily and regular checkups at the dentist complete oral care to always have healthy teeth and gums.

See also in French.

5 Steps to Good Oral Health

Having healthy teeth and healthy gums is simple once you know what to do. Avoid oral problems and unwanted disease by following these 5 steps:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush. Use preferably fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and bacteria. Also floss every day to remove the remaining plaque around the gums and in between the teeth to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Eat a balanced diet
Avoid excess sugar because tooth decay causing bacteria use sugar to start cavities. Avoid sweet drinks, especially soft drinks and energy drinks. Eat fruits instead of drinking fruit juices. A healthy diet promotes wellness and good oral health.

See your dentist regularly
Regular checkups with your dentist, preferably every six months, help to stop small problems from worsening. Regular cleanings also prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Don’t smoke or chew tobacco
Tobacco causes gum disease and eventually tooth loss. Smoking can also lead to deadly diseases such as oral cancer.

Check regularly for warning signs
Gum disease is a serious illness that leads to tooth loss. The warning signs are bad breath and red, puffy and sore bleeding gums. Oral cancer’s warning signs include inexplicable bleeding, open sores, white or red patches, numbness or tingling, and small lumps and thickening on the sides or bottom of your tongue, the floor or roof of your mouth, the inside of your cheeks or on your gums. If these signs become visible in your mouth and don’t disappear after two weeks, you should report them quickly to your dentist.

In French: 5 étapes pour une bonne santé bucco-dentaire
Source: Globe and Mail