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Should I see a holistic dentist while I’m pregnant?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I recently found out I am pregnant after about a year of trying. With so much time to prepare, I’d already chosen an OB doctor and had researched almost everything about pregnancy. I’m concerned that I may have overlooked one thing – my dentist. I’m thinking I should have switched to a holistic dentist because today, when I went for my regular check up, they wanted to do x-rays, even though I told them I was pregnant. During the examination he also said I need to have an amalgam filling removed because there has decay under it. There’s no way I am exposing my unborn baby to radiation or mercury! They let me get by today with just the cleaning, but want me to schedule an appointment for the other procedures. Should I find a holistic dentist while I’m pregnant? — Sara

Sara,
Congratulations on your exciting news! Your concern is understandable, but let’s take a quick step back. Most dentists will likely want to confirm with your OB that you are not considered high risk before they give you any type of treatment. When it comes to x-rays, many are digital these days and OB’s will usually give the OK because the exposure to radiation is extremely low. Plus, you’ll be wearing a protective lead apron that will shield both you and the baby. If you have doubts about the safety of it, talk to your OB at that first visit.

There are a couple of things to consider as far as the filling is concerned. Mercury exposure is definitely a risk, but bacteria and periodontal disease have also been linked to low-birth weight and even pre-term birth. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with regular dental visits during pregnancy. Before the bacteria continues to spread or get worse, you should probably consider having the filling removed. A holistic dentist (often referred to as a mercury-free dentist) will take every precaution during the removal to ensure mercury vapors are extracted and that not even any small bits get swallowed. It’s actually a very safe procedure that won’t harm you or your baby. Your OB will probably want you to wait until you get through your first trimester and you will be restricted to certain types of anesthetics. Consult with your OB and have them be a part of the treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your baby. Good luck!

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is it dangerous to swallow amalgam during filling removal?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I recently made a choice to have my old metal fillings replaced with mercury-free tooth-colored fillings. While my dentist felt is wasn’t absolutely necessary, he agreed to do it because my old fillings were worn down a bit. During the procedure, I felt a large piece of one of the fillings fall on my tongue. The dentist retrieved it, but now I am wondering if I could have swallowed pieces that were too small to see. If I did swallow some, is it bad for me?  — Rich in Idaho

Rich,
If your dentist is a traditionalist, he likely doesn’t worry much about possible side-effects of mercury or amalgam fillings because he follows the guidelines of the ADA (American Dental Association) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The ADA quotes the FDI (Fédération Dentaire Internationale/ World Dental Federation) and WHO (World Health Organization) on their website by saying, “the small amount of mercury released from amalgam restorations, especially during placement and removal, has not been shown to cause any adverse health effects.”

Today, there are a growing number of holistic dentists, doctors and patients who have concerns whether this statement is accurate. There is no evidence endorsed by a government agency that suggests patients will experience any adverse health effects from  amalgam filling removal, nor does any major agency question the safety in having or placing amalgam fillings. It does, however, sound like your dentist was trying to follow the best practice of removal which includes removing them in large pieces to reduce the total amount of aerosol, as well as keeping the large suction and water sprayer on the tooth the whole time to minimize vapors.

A holistic dentist would do things much differently. Not only would he or she likely use a rubber dam to keep particles and debris from falling into your mouth, they would have used additional suction, air movers, oxygen sources, supplementary barriers and other tools to ensure safety and protection of everyone in the room.

Based on current governmentally-endorsed evidence, you have not ingested enough mercury to become ill. If you are concerned, you may want to seek out a holistic dentist and discuss those concerns before your next procedure.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.