Yet another reason to get those old mercury amalgam fillings out of your mouth.  The November issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease states that inorganic mercury, the type found in dental amalgams, likely is a contributing cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

A systematic review of 106 studies found that the symptoms and features of Alzheimer’s disease were reproduced, or occurred more quickly, when mercury was introduced.  Forty of the studies tested memory in individuals exposed to mercury and thirty-two of them found significant memory problems following exposure.

The study authors noted that the evidence against mercury was “strongly suggestive” but added that some links between inorganic mercury and Alzheimer’s were missing.  “The situation is similar to the early 1970’s regarding smoking: enough experimental evidence existed, but human studies were inconclusive at the time and were under attack by groups with a vested interest”  said lead researcher Dr. Harald Walach.

Dr. Walach called for “the removal of mercury from public and ecological circuits and replacing it wherever possible by less toxic alternatives. ”  He added, “To wait until irrefutable evidence has accumulated is not the best options in view of what we already know about the toxicity of mercury.  The removal of inorganic mercury from ecological cycles might prove to be the easiest and most effective public health measure to contribute to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.”

StoneRidge Dental Care is mercury-free and we can help you and your family become mercury-free as well.  Please contact us today at 614-476-6696 to discuss your treatment options. for replacing mercury fillings with safer, non-toxic and more attractive restorations.