For many, a new year’s resolution is to focus on a healthier lifestyle and make diet and exercise a top priority. For others, spending more quality time with family and friends is something they want to focus on at the start of the New Year. Even doing a better job at balancing a budget is a resolution that several choose to take on. But one New Year’s resolution that isn’t made enough of a priority is the health of your teeth. It’s still early enough in 2017 to make your oral health a priority, and consider having the fillings in your teeth examined and replaced.
Your friends and experts at Allen Dental recommend you pay more attention to your teeth and gums in 2017. In order for you to be as educated as possible about your teeth and their fillings, it’s important to get a quick lesson in amalgam, it’s potential risks, and safe alternatives for you to consider.
Amalgam consists of silver, mercury, tin, and copper. If you read the word “mercury” and started to panic about it’s presence in amalgam, let us give you some insight as to why you may want to consider a different source for a dental filling. Amalgam can be viewed as controversial because there is ongoing debate on how much mercury fillings released and how much the body absorbs from the fillings. Historically, amalgam fillings were thought to be chemically inactive, and that mercury could not be released in the human body once the filling was in the tooth. However, in recent years, updated data and testing has shown that very small amounts of mercury can be released in the form of vapor if the tooth filling wears down over time. Expecting mothers should practice caution and avoid unnecessary dental work. During pregnancy women should not receive amalgam fillings as mercury can penetrate the protective linings on the womb.
Luckily, there are plenty of safe alternatives to amalgam that you can consider on your next tooth filling like composite resin, glass ionomer, porcelain, and gold. Of these options, composite fillings are the most popular—this is due to the fact that they are white in color, meaning the filling matches the tooth more effectively. This is also considered a cost-friendly option.
Trust Allen Dental in the New Year to give you the dental fillings that work best for you and your health—we’d be happy to help you keep that resolution! Visit allendental.net or call 608-786-3303 for more information about our services and to schedule your next appointment!
