FDA issues mercury warning for dental amalgam

On Sept. 24, the FDA issued updated recommendations about dental amalgam and potential risks to certain individuals that may be tied to the mercury-containing fillings.

The FDA is recommending individuals that fall into the below high-risk groups avoid getting dental amalgam whenever possible and appropriate:

  • Pregnant women and their developing fetuses
  • Women who are planning to become pregnant
  • Nursing women and their infants
  • Children, especially those younger than 6 years
  • People with preexisting neurological diseases
  • People with impaired kidney function
  • People with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury

While low levels of inhaled mercury vapor are generally not harmful to most, these individuals may be at increased risk.

The FDA is not recommending anyone remove or replace existing amalgam fillings in good condition unless medically necessary, because removing intact amalgam fillings can temporarily increase exposure to mercury vapor and cause potential loss of healthy tooth structure.

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