Dental health and tooth fillings

Are amalgam fillings safe? continued...

The British Dental Health Foundation and numerous public health agencies worldwide say there's no proof that dental fillings cause harm. The causes of autism, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis remain unknown. Additionally, there is no solid, scientific evidence to back up the claim that if a person has amalgam fillings removed, he or she will be cured of these or any other diseases.

Although amalgams do contain mercury, when they are mixed with other metals, such as silver, copper, tin and zinc, they form a stable alloy that dentists have used for more than 100 years to fill and preserve hundreds of millions of decayed teeth.

How should I care for my teeth with fillings?

To maintain your fillings, you should follow good oral hygiene practices, visiting your dentist regularly for cleaning, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once daily. If your dentist suspects that a filling might be cracked or is "leaking" (when the sides of the filling don't fit tightly against the tooth, this allows debris and saliva to seep down between the filling and the tooth, which can lead to decay), he or she will take X-rays to assess the situation. If your tooth is extremely sensitive, if you feel a sharp edge, if you notice a crack in the filling, or if a piece of the filling is missing, call your dentist for an appointment.

Problems with dental fillings

Tooth pain and sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity following placement of a filling is fairly common. A tooth may be sensitive to pressure, air, sweet foods or temperature. Usually, the sensitivity resolves on its own within a few weeks. During this time, avoid those things that are causing the sensitivity. Pain relievers are generally not required.

Contact your dentist if the sensitivity does not subside within two to four weeks or if your tooth is extremely sensitive. He or she may recommend you use a desensitising toothpaste, may apply a desensitising agent to the tooth or possibly suggest a root canal procedure.

Pain around the fillings can also occur. If you experience pain when you bite, the filling is interfering with your bite. You will need to return to your dentist and have the filling reshaped. If you experience pain when your teeth touch, the pain is likely caused by the touching of two different metal surfaces (for example, the silver amalgam in a newly filled tooth and a gold crown on another tooth with which it touches). This pain should resolve on its own within a short period of time.

If the decay was very deep or close to the pulp of the tooth, you may experience a "toothache type" pain. This "toothache" response may indicate this tissue is no longer healthy. If this is the case, a root canal may be required.