Not So Late-Breaking News?

It's taken far too long, but the FDA has finally decided that amalgam fillings may be dangerous to our health, something that an increasing number of dentists have long suspected. In June the FDA cautioned that these fillings may pose a risk for young children, developing fetuses, pregnant women, and people particularly sensitive to mercury. (WHO ISN'T) "When you chew on food, drink hot beverages, and brush your teeth, mercury vapor escapes from the filling and you inhale and swallow it," says John Neustadt, ND, director of Montana Integrative Health.

Luckily, safe and equally effective alternatives to amalgam already exists, says Todd Kinney, DDS, an integrative dentist in Bozeman, Montana. Find a dentist who uses porcelain, gold, and composite resin (ask specifically for BPA-free composite). Since the off-gassing of mercury decreases over time, you may not need to remove fillings more than 10 years old. But if you wish to replace them, "choose a good dentist who uses a dental dam and suction to prevent inhalation of mercury vapor during the replacement." says Neustadt.