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Thimerosal and Dental Fillings?
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eversosweet24 posted:
Hi I am at a loss right now as to what my issue is and it really is upsetting!

About 5 months ago my lips started to swell up every morning and were so chapped that it was killing me. I went to an allergist and they did skin tests on me to see if it was a pollen or food etc... turned out it wasnt anything like that. I had blood tests done and nothing. A month later I got huge welts on my neck (Hives) So I went back. They gave me protopic which definately helped a little bit but didnt completely get rid of it because as soon as I stopped using the protopic after 2 weeks it came right back. So than they did the patch test on me and it turns out I am allergic to THIMEROSAL. Nothing I use has thimerosal in it not even the other names for thimerosal are in products I use. The only thing I can think of is the two teeth on my lower left have metal fillings in them. Could this be the problem? :0(
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Zev Kaufman, DDS responded:
Dear eversosweet24:

Thiomersal is a compound with is used as an antiseptic, anti-fungal agent and as a preservative in vaccines and other preparations. It has been use for almost a century. However, it is being phased out in vaccines for children. The World Health Organization has concluded that it is safe.

To my knowledge, there is no thiomersal used in dental filling materials, but since I do not know what your dentist used, you will have to ask him/her. If the filling have been there for many years, it is highly unlikely that they are the cause for the reaction you have been having.

Best of luck,
Dr. Zev Kaufman
 
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WhoAmIReallyIWonder replied to Zev Kaufman, DDS's response:
"metal fillings" = silver amalgam = mercury fillings

thimerosal = 49% mercury.
 
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Zev Kaufman, DDS replied to WhoAmIReallyIWonder's response:
Dear WhoAmIRealyIWonder:

I am not sure what you are trying to say???

However, the American Dental Association has answered this question already by stating the the amalgam restorations are completely safe. They do not emit mercury at any levels that are dangerous to human consumption. As a matter of fact, you stand to get mercury poisoning in you eat lots of raw Tuna in sushi, since the fish is exposed to elemental mercury in its natural surroundings.

Once the amalgam restoration is set in place, the mercury in it is non-reactive.

I have answered this question many times, and unfortunately will have to answer it again and again, since the "garbage" science and articles which perpetuate nonsense on the internet never get erased.
Amalgam restorations ARE the MOST cost effective, predictable, non-technique sensitive (most dentists can do them very well), durable restorations ever created.

Gold restorations and porcelain restorations are better, but are FAR MORE expensive. Many people can only afford an amalgam restoration and it is FAR better to keep your teeth than any potential risk of exposure to the mercury (which is not scientifically documented).

There is a specialty of dentistry which is called Public Health.
I encourage you to contact them for more information:

http://www.aaphd.org

Best wishes,
Dr. Zev Kaufman


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