Mercury-Free Dentistry for Better Health
Local Doctors Support a Holistic Perspective by Linda Sechrist
M
ost individuals that use the dental services of William E. Lovett, D.D.S., in Naples, are either referred by physicians such as neurologist David Perlmutter, M.D., author of The Better Brain Book, or have already done the research that helps them to make better, more health-conscious decisions. Known for treating patients from a perspective of whole body health, rather than just addressing the teeth in their mouth, Lovett spends significant time with each individual in order to learn about their lifestyle and health issues. He also educates them about the connection between their mouth and the overall health of their body.
“The more my patients know, the more likely they are to take better care of their teeth and gums and to work at reducing the bacteria in their mouth, which is directly tied to the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes,” notes Lovett. A holistic dentist, he has been using a mercury-free approach for more than 25 years because of concerns about health risks from mercury.
William Lovett
Lovett explains why mercury-free restorations, which include all-porcelain crowns, porcelain fused to metal (preferably gold) crowns, porcelain onlays or inlays and composite bonded restorations, should be an integral part of aligning oral health with whole-body wellness.
I U.S. Supports Ending Amalgam Cavity Fillings
n a watershed move towards global mercury-free dentistry, the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) recently reported that the U.S. government has announced that it supports a phase down, with the goal of eventual phase out of mercury amalgam. That’s the silver-and-mercury-mixed material commonly used to fill cavities in teeth.
This represents a radical reversal of the government’s former position that, “Any change toward the use of dental amalgam is likely to result in positive public health outcomes.” The new stance will be submitted at the third round of negotiations for the world mercury treaty. The IAOMT sees this as “an extraordi- nary development that will change the global debate about amalgam.” The IAOMT, a global network of 700 dental, medical and research profes- sionals, is a longtime opponent of mercury amalgam because of possible health risks from mercury, a known toxin. It is considered especially risky for children and for pregnant women, whose fetuses can be affected. Possible side effects of the continuous release of toxic vapor from mercury fillings into the body include memory loss, tremors, personality changes and impaired immune systems. Yet, the World Dental Federation and the American Dental Association con- tinue to maintain that mercury amalgam fillings are safe. To date, mercury fillings have been banned in Norway and restricted in Finland, Sweden, Austria, Canada and Germany. With the U.S. government on board, says Charles G. Brown, presi- dent of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, “The debate has shifted from whether to end amalgam to how to end amalgam.” Mercury-free dentistry supports the use of a tooth-colored, bonded composite material, made primarily of resin.
For more information, visit
iaomt.org. 22 Collier/Lee Counties
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“Understanding the structure of a tooth enables one to further understand the importance of the teeth within total body health,” advises Lovett, who points out that every tooth is a living or- gan, with an outer layer of enamel and an inner layer of dentin. If the dentin is penetrated, the blood and nerve supply to the tooth is affected. “Mercury fill- ings always require penetration into the dentin, which means that the health of the ‘organ’ [tooth] and the whole body can be affected, as well,” he says. Darlene Lofgren, a Naples resident of 43 years, understands that connec- tion well. “I had been experiencing a lot of pain in all my joints, and when it was suggested that I had arthritis, I visited Dr. Perlmutter to see if there was anything I could do naturally to help manage the discomfort,” says Lofgren, who notes that she had a substantial number of mercury fillings at the time. Lofgren underwent a physical test for heavy metals, and based on the results, Perlmutter suggested that she have her mercury fillings removed. “I’d had them since childhood,” notes Lofgren, “but within a month after they were removed, all my pain was gone and the mercury levels went down, so I only needed medication for a short time to remove it completely.” “The American Dental Association
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