High Blood Pressure and Silver Fillings

I was absolutely shocked when my doctor told me I had high blood pressure last week. I exercise regularly. I eat well. I can’t figure out where it’s coming from. My doctor wants me to go on medication, but I hate taking medicine for things which have a healthier solution. So I did some research on things which contribute to high blood pressure. Outside of stress, which I don’t really have an unusual amount of, the only controllable thing I saw listed was silver fillings. I have a silver filling on almost every tooth. Would it be worth it for me to remove them?

Amanda F.

Dear Amanda,

Two images. One with silver amalgam fillings. One with mercury-free white composite fillings

It may seem like there’s a new trend to get rid of silver fillings. So why, after decades of them being the standard, are so many people suddenly saying they’re dangerous and cause health problems? A lot of that has to do with more information. Most patients in the past didn’t know the main ingredient in silver fillings is mercury. After all, they’re called silver fillings not mercury fillings.

Another reason is new documentation on how much mercury is released. First, I have to say the American Dental Association (ADA) still says that Amalgam fillings (ie. silver fillings) are safe. They site studies stating the amount of mercury released is within safe parameters. The problem with some of these studies is that most of them are done with static instead of true to life conditions. Studies that do have those real-life conditions show much higher amounts of mercury being released.

There is also growing evidence that people who’ve taken the step of getting their fillings removed and replaced with mercury-free composite fillings have found relief from quite a variety of ailments, including high blood pressure. If you had one filling I’d say it wouldn’t really be a contributing factor. But, you’ve said you have silver on every tooth. That’s a lot of mercury along with other metals. It’s even possible you’ve developed a metal allergy.

How to Safely Replace Amalgam Fillings for Mercury-free Fillings

At some point, amalgam fillings need to be replaced. They get old. They start leaking. They break. Some people prefer replacing them as it becomes necessary. However, if you’re concerned they’re having a negative impact on your health, it may be better just to get them all replaced in as few appointments as possible.

One thing you have to be very careful of is who removes them. Whichever dentist you go to must know how to do a sanitary amalgam removal. Otherwise, you’ll end up with more serious health problems than if you just left them in place.

Here are the things your dentist will need to keep in mind. Mercury goes to a liquid state at room temperature, so as they’re removing them and they heat up, they’ll soften and you’ll swallow the mercury. NOT something you want to do. To prevent that, your dentist should keep cold water on it throughout the process to keep it solid. You’ll also need a stopper dam and fan to keep you from inhaling vapors. Almost all mercury-free dentists know how to properly remove amalgam fillings.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Steven Collins.