Having More Than Eight Dental Fillings Increases Mercury Levels In Your Blood

There's few things more dreaded than the toe curling sound of dental drills penetrating your sore, aching teeth. Which might be why so many people put off going to the dentist.

But ignoring a toothache can be bothersome too. The solution? Take care of your teeth from the get-go and prevent those dreaded dental fillings.

For those who have already experienced the agony of numbing, drilling and filling, there is another reason you might want to pay more attention to preventing cavities.

Researchers from the University of Georgia's department of environmental health science suggest having more than eight dental fillings can dramatically increase the levels of mercury in your blood thanks to dental amalgam, which has been used to fill cavities for the past 150 years.

Mercury is known to cause brain, heart, kidney and lung damage, however researchers do not know the exact amount of mercury associated with harmful results.

But there is good news: in 2015, researchers from the University of Sydney found tooth decay can be stopped, reversed and prevented without the need for fillings.

In a news release, Associate Professor Wendell Evans of the University of Sydney explained that after 50 years of research, studies have shown tooth decay doesn't always progress.

As a result, Evans and his team developed a four-step treatment to eliminate the need for fillings. The most vital step involves the application of highly concentrated fluoride. After that, brushing, avoiding sweet treats and monitoring are all you need.

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7 Surprising Cavity Fighters

Cavity Fighter No 1: Eating Cheese(01 of07)

Some researchers believe that casein, a protein found in cheese, may have a protective property that promotes healthy teeth and could help with cavity prevention. “Research has shown that calcium levels in the mouth increase after eating cheese,” says Shawn Frawley, DDS, a dentist in private practice in Beverly Hills, Calif. “Teeth are partly made up of calcium, so increased saliva calcium levels helps re-mineralize teeth and prevent cavities from occurring.” (credit:Alamy)

Cavity Fighter No. 2: Chewing Gum(02 of07)

Chewing sugar-free gum has long been recommended to avoid cavities. And sugar-free gum made with xylitol, a natural sugar substitute, seems to be even more of a winner. “Xylitol is a very effective cavity fighter and prevents decay from occurring,” says Dr. Frawley. “Xylitol helps prevent cavities because bacteria that cause tooth decay cannot utilize it to grow and cannot metabolize it to produce acid. Xylitol is most effective in gum or mint form and should be consumed three to five times daily for a total of 5 grams per day. It is important that it is the first listed ingredient to ensure the amount is sufficient.” (credit:Alamy)

Cavity Fighter No. 3: Candy(03 of07)

While we were all taught that candy is the enemy of healthy teeth, sugar-free candy, like sugar-free gum, holds cavity prevention potential. Dentists concur that sugar-free candy does not hurt your teeth, and if that candy is sweetened with xylitol, as a number of lollipops and hard candies now are, then it will actively help fight cavities and prevent tooth decay, too (credit:Alamy)

Cavity Fighter No. 4: Wine(04 of07)

Wine, at least the red variety, is generally not considered great for teeth because of the stains it can leave behind. But one study suggests that many of the individual chemical components in both red and white wine can actively fight the bacteria that lead to tooth decay and cavities. Though the research is promising, dental experts are quick to point out that lab results don’t always equate to real-life situations. “The studies on these ‘cavity fighters’ do not necessarily hold water,” says Matthew Hyde, DDS, a dentist in private practice on Long Island, N.Y. “Just because you have isolated an individual chemical that may retard decay in a closed system, the mouth is far from a closed system, and it is important to consider the way these chemicals interact with the biofilm that surrounds each tooth.” (credit:Alamy)

Cavity Fighter No. 5: Raisins(05 of07)

Long perceived as a cause of cavities, it turns out raisins are similar to wine. Scientists have found that some of the chemicals present in raisins, including polyphenols and flavonoids, may actively fight oral bacteria that lead to cavities. Here again, dentists remain skeptical of translating these lab results into real life. “Raisins have long been recommended as a snack to avoid due to their stickiness and high sugar content,” says Frawley. “The question lies in whether the effective decay-preventing concentration of these phenolic compounds exists within raisins. Additionally, we must consider whether the cavity-fighting properties of the phenolics outweigh the cavity-causing properties of the sugar. At this point, I am not recommending eating raisins to prevent cavities to my patients.” (credit:Alamy)

Cavity Fighter No. 6: Using A Straw(06 of07)

When it comes to cavity prevention, sugary, acidic sodas obviously are not a wise choice. But a study at Temple University in Philadelphia discovered that you can minimize damage to healthy teeth by sipping that soda through a straw, especially if you don’t let the straw come in contact with the teeth. However, Dr. Hyde advises against using this as a green light to drink large amounts of soda due to the unwanted calories as well as the tooth decay risk. “If you drink carbonated or sugared beverages, a straw can help, but the best defense is not to drink these items to excess,” he says. (credit:Alamy)

Cavity Fighter No. 7: Dental Sealants(07 of07)

To prevent tooth decay, many dentists recommend dental sealants, a protective coating that’s applied to the surface of the back teeth. “Dental sealants are an excellent way to prevent cavities,” Frawley says. “One of the most susceptible surfaces of a tooth to decay is the biting surface, where grooves, pits and fissures exist. It is very difficult to thoroughly clean plaque and bacteria, especially when the grooves are deeper. By sealing this part of the tooth with a flowable resin material, it prevents bacteria from being able to access, grow, and cause tooth decay.” (credit:Alamy)

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Having More Than Eight Dental Fillings Increases Mercury Levels In Your Blood

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