Amalgam is a mercury-containing material that was used as a dental filling material for many decades because it was inexpensive, durable and relatively easy to work with. Today, amalgam is considered a concern because it can lead to health conditions such as amalgam allergies and amalgam poisoning.
What is an amalgam allergy?
If you have an amalgam allergy, it is essential to replace your amalgam fillings with other materials. Your dentist will provide you with comprehensive information about this. An amalgam allergy is a contact allergy to dental amalgam fillings that causes discomfort to the oral mucosa. This allergy occurs very rarely, it is estimated that only 0.01% of all people suffer from an amalgam allergy. In people suffering from atopic dermatitis, amalgam allergy can cause eczema to widen and the skin to deteriorate in the areas where the skin comes into contact with saliva.
Causes
Amalgam poisoning is also often popularly referred to as amalgam allergy, but it is not a true allergy. Amalgam consists of about 50% mercury, which is toxic to the body. Other components include metals such as copper, zinc, silver and tin. Amalgam poisoning can lead to non-specific physical reactions such as a weakened immune system. It occurs when mercury is released when amalgam fillings are placed or removed, or when amalgam fillings become porous. Components of amalgam fillings then enter the gastrointestinal tract and bloodstream through saliva. Mercury is stored in the liver, brain, kidney, tissues and nervous system, triggering the various health problems.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Amalgam allergy can cause a range of symptoms and discomfort. When an allergy sufferer comes into contact with the allergen, they may experience chronic fatigue, headaches and difficulty concentrating, among other symptoms. The metal is also suspected of promoting infections and causing skin eczema. Muscle pain is also said to be promoted by repeated contact with amalgam. Acutely, there is a strong burning sensation on the tongue, associated with a metallic taste in the mouth. Contact allergy to amalgam dental fillings can cause discomfort of the oral mucosa and gums. The hypersensitive reaction results in inflammation, itching, bleeding, and possibly permanent tissue damage. Repeated contact with the allergen can lead to infection and further discomfort. A typical secondary disease is gingivitis, which manifests itself as painful redness and swelling. In most cases, there is secretion, bleeding and tearing. This is accompanied by a pronounced bad breath. In addition, an amalgam allergy causes the typical allergic reactions. For example, skin irritations, gastrointestinal complaints and eye irritations can occur, always depending on which body regions come into contact with the metal. In extreme cases, anaphylactic shock occurs as a result of an amalgam allergy.
Diagnosis and course
The prick test is an allergy test to check for allergic reactions to pollen or animal hair, for example. Here, possible allergic substances are dripped onto the skin, which is then lightly pricked with a lancet. After 20 minutes, the redness of the skin and the size of the wheal are assessed. An amalgam allergy is detected with the help of an epicutaneous test. In the epicutaneous test, which should only be performed by an experienced dermatologist due to the wide range of possible reactions, a patch containing the substances to be tested is stuck to the patient’s back. In this way, allergic reactions to various types of mercury and amalgam alloys can be tested, as well as to other ingredients of dental fillings such as plastics, other metals and cement. If eczema forms under the patch within three days, an allergy is present. If an amalgam allergy is detected too late, chronic inflammation, erosion, and white discoloration of the oral cavity may occur. In some cases, acute eczema also occurs shortly after new amalgam fillings are placed. Amalgam poisoning can be detected with the help of a blood or urine test that measures the body’s mercury exposure. However, because mercury is stored primarily in the tissues, these tests are not always conclusive.In natural medicine, amalgam poisoning is seen as the cause of many types of physical complaints, including chronic fatigue, susceptibility to infections, listlessness, autoimmune diseases and depressive moods. However, it is difficult to prove that the complaints are actually caused by poisoning from amalgam fillings. That is why not all health insurance companies currently recognize amalgam poisoning as a disease.
Complications
As a rule, an amalgam allergy can be treated relatively well, so that no consequential damage or further complications occur. Patients usually suffer from a strong burning sensation on the tongue and a metallic taste in the mouth. This is mainly caused by the detachment of amalgam fillings. Furthermore, the gums can become inflamed in various places. Due to the inflammation, the patient is usually no longer able to consume food and liquids in the usual form. Often, the amalgam allergy causes fatigue and a depressed mood. The affected person becomes susceptible to infections and thus sick more often. The treatment of amalgam allergy is usually done acutely by removing the fillings and attaching plastic fillings to the tooth. However, it may take some time for the complete amalgam to be removed from the body. Furthermore, there are no further complications. In the worst case, amalgam allergy can develop into amalgam poisoning. When large amounts are taken, the patient is given selenium, as this binds the mercury and removes it from the body. Life expectancy is not reduced with amalgam allergy.
At what point should you see a doctor?
If all signs point to an amalgam allergy, a visit to the dentist or dermatologist is inevitable. Amalgam allergy can aggravate pre-existing conditions in its aftermath. However, it can also trigger secondary health symptoms. An epicutaneous test can determine whether an amalgam allergy is actually present. This is comparatively rare, but a real allergy to dental materials such as amalgam should always be taken seriously. It is possible, however, that the symptoms and the result of the epicutaneous test are more indicative of chronic amalgam poisoning. Treatment of amalgam allergy can be successfully performed nowadays. Often the therapy is based on removal of the amalgam fillings at the dentist. In the case of a real allergy, a request for reimbursement for dental rehabilitation can be submitted to the health insurance company. The attending physician will support this application with his diagnostics. In addition, he can initiate further measures to prevent consequential damage. This may be followed by detoxification and restoration of the immune system. Natural medicine knows gentle detoxification and elimination procedures. Therefore, it makes sense to consult an experienced alternative practitioner after the removal of the amalgam fillings. He can help the patient to support the self-detoxification of the body through natural detoxification measures. Support for the stressed immune system is also useful.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment method of choice for both amalgam allergy and amalgam poisoning is dental rehabilitation, in which the amalgam fillings are replaced. This dental restoration must be carried out extremely carefully, because larger amounts of mercury can be released in the process. In case of amalgam allergy, the health insurance company pays for this dental rehabilitation, in case of amalgam poisoning, the patient has to pay for it himself. Ceramic fillings or almost pure gold fillings should be used as new dental fillings. Inferior gold fillings, which contain allergenic palladium, or plastic fillings are not good alternatives. As a further measure, selenium should be taken in case of amalgam poisoning. Selenium binds mercury in such a way that it no longer has harmful effects on the body. Taking zinc is recommended for any type of allergy.
Outlook and prognosis
As a rule, an amalgam allergy does not lead to special complaints if the affected person refrains from contact with amalgam or from taking it. This also does not result in any particular restrictions in the patient’s life and daily routine. The symptoms and complaints usually occur when the amalgam detaches from the dental fillings and thus enters the body.This can result in a metallic taste in the mouth or burning of the tongue. Furthermore, those affected often suffer from headaches and general fatigue. Sometimes there are also various inflammations of the gums, which usually occur without any particular reason. If the amalgam is taken for a long time, it can have a negative effect on the internal organs of the affected person, because amalgam is basically a toxic material. As a rule, it can damage the kidneys, brain and liver. This reduces the life expectancy of the patient. It is usually not possible to treat the amalgam allergy. The affected person must then do without dental fillings made of amalgam, although there are no special restrictions.
Prevention
As a preventive measure, in the case of an amalgam allergy, new dental fillings should be tested for their allergenic effect before they are inserted. This helps prevent new contact allergies. People suffering from amalgam poisoning should, as a preventive measure, avoid any consumption of foods with heavy metal contamination, such as tuna and shrimp from polluted seas. Drinking water from old lead pipes and cigarette qualm can also aggravate symptoms. Plenty of exercise, healthy food and as little alcohol as possible are good for the liver and kidneys, promoting the body’s self-detoxification.
Aftercare
An amalgam allergy only requires treatment insofar as the typical symptoms occur. This involves affected individuals coming into contact with metals containing the alloy. Aftercare is aimed at preventing the reaction. The responsibility for this lies with the patient. Scheduled follow-up visits to a physician are not scheduled after an initial diagnosis. The pathological defense reaction is determined by an allergist. He usually performs an epicutaneous test. Only in rare cases a multiple survey is necessary. Complications sometimes arise in older people who have had amalgam fillings placed. They suffer from discomfort until the alloys are replaced with ceramic or plastic components. Today’s dentures do not use amalgam because of its known side effects. The aftercare has exclusively preventive character. In addition to replacing contaminated dentures, patients should also take a look at the origin of certain foods. Fish from polluted seas and contaminated water can also trigger an allergic reaction. If large quantities enter the body, poisoning may result. More severe symptoms and complications are possible. The allergy to amalgam does not usually affect everyday life. Contaminated metal components can be replaced without hesitation in Europe. Neither the quality of life nor the lifespan suffers.
What you can do yourself
If an amalgam allergy is suspected, a doctor must first be consulted. In most cases, dental rehabilitation is indicated, which can be supported by the affected person through some measures. First and foremost, it is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet that complies with the dentist’s instructions. The patient should not consume excessively cold, hot or otherwise irritating foods and beverages. In addition, attention should be paid to good oral hygiene. Especially in the first days after a procedure, it is important to take good care of the teeth and oral cavity to avoid inflammation and similar complaints. The doctor in charge will prescribe a suitable mouth rinse for the patient to prevent any infections. Dental rehabilitation should be supported by taking selenium. The substance binds mercury and prevents harmful consequences for the body. Often it is sufficient to take selenium through an adjusted diet or dietary supplements. In severe cases, an infusion may be necessary. This depends on the amount of amalgam in the body, the health of the patient and some other factors. In addition, zinc should be taken regularly. The doctor must monitor the intake of supplements and adjust in case of side effects and interactions.
