Are Your Silver Fillings Making You Sick And Aging You?
Posted on: 30 June 2017
Although you probably won't go to bed at night without washing your face and applying a moisturizer, it's important to note that your teeth can have just as much of an aging effect as a few extra lines might. Silver fillings are one example of that, as their presence is hard to miss. Fortunately, tooth-colored fillings are a popular choice that minimizes the appearance of old cavities, and it has become popular to use them in place of silver fillings.
If you're ready to talk with a cosmetic dentist about easy ways to rectify the less-than-appealing look of your teeth, it is a good idea to be aware of the concerns about silver fillings and the benefits of replacing them with tooth-colored fillings, as discussed below.
Understanding The Concerns About Silver Fillings
Silver fillings, which might also be referred to as amalgam fillings, have been used to fill in the decayed or damaged areas of teeth since the 1800s. Although they are a viable solution for many people, they also present some significant issues, which are often because they are rarely bonded to the tooth, so its surface is susceptible to sugar, bacteria, etc.
Those fillings should not be in your mouth for more than 14 years, and if they are not taken care of properly, might last for just a few months. Unfortunately, many people don't know that and have had the same fillings in their teeth for 20 or 30 years.
Over time, they can damage the tooth they are in and the adjacent teeth, requiring more invasive and expensive dental work. In addition, mercury vapors began to release into your body from the moment the fillings go into the tooth. As the mercury breaks down over the years, more of those vapors contaminate your system and can result in significant health challenges, including immune system irregularities and heart, lung, and neurological problems.
Opting For Tooth-colored Fillings
Once you're familiar with the dangers associated with the use of silver fillings and the mercury they have in them, it's pretty obvious why so many people have replaced them with tooth-colored fillings. It's important to remember that silver fillings are known to damage the teeth, both when the dentist put them in and during their use since then.
There are risks of damage to the tooth when they are being removed, and the Food And Drug Administration recommends removing them only when they have started to decay or have begun to have a negative impact on your health. When they are removed, the tooth-colored fillings may need to be bigger than you expect to rectify the damage and improve the aesthetic appeal of your smile.
Your cosmetic dentist will need to remove the existing filling and then assess the damage. In some instances, the damage might be too severe for a tooth-colored replacement. Assuming that your tooth is healthy enough for an amalgam filling, you can expect to have sensitive teeth for up to 14 days. It is best to remember that your new, safer fillings will last an average of about seven to ten years and can be cared for just like your regular teeth.
In conclusion, silver fillings have been associated with many health problems. If they have started to decay or it has been more fourteen years since you got them, it's a good idea to discuss with your cosmetic dentist the benefits of replacing them with tooth-colored units.
For more information, contact a professional in your area like those found at BayView Dental Associates.
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