Huffington Post, Emma Gray
9/25/11
Growing up, most of us learned how to brush our teeth and gums, and were instructed to do so at least twice a day, without exception -- and for good reason. Beyond the obvious benefits of dental health, which include avoiding unsightly teeth stains and painful cavities, a healthy mouth has been increasingly linked to other health issues.
Just this summer, a study found a possible link between gum disease and an increased difficulty conceiving children, and periodontal disease has been linked to a host of heart problems -- including coronary artery disease -- as well as an increased chance of becoming diabetic. It seems fairly clear that oral health is something that we shouldn't be neglecting.Unfortunately, a recent Gallup poll suggests that many Americans do just that.
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Few dental health issues have gotten more attention recently than mercury dental fillings, commonly called “silver” or amalgam fillings.
In a statement released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009, these dental fillings, which contain mercury along with other metals, were pronounced safe for most adults and children over 6 years of age.
However, in December 2010, an FDA advisory panel of scientists and other dental health experts met again to review the safety information of amalgam fillings. The panel upheld the 2009 ruling, but it also urged the FDA to continue to review and evaluate their safety, suggesting the issue still isn’t definitively settled.
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