Bay Dental And Orthodontics

I found this article by Laird Harrison on how the WHO wants to reduce Mercury poisoning the environment. Why are Mercury fillings safe in your mouths and not in the environment? Read on….

WHO Calls for ‘Phase Down’ of Dental Amalgam
Laird Harrison
Authors and Disclosures

October 24, 2011 — A World Health Organization (WHO) committee this month called for a worldwide reduction in the use of dental amalgam to cut the flow of mercury into the natural environment.

“In an environmental perspective, it is desirable that the use of dental amalgam is reduced,” Poul Erik Petersen, DDS, DrOdontSci, responsible officer of the Global Oral Health Programme, told Medscape Medical News.

Dr. Petersen chaired a 2-day conference on amalgam as part of a United Nations effort to organize a worldwide treaty on mercury. The WHO released a report of the proceedings on October 11.

At a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, from November 16 to 17, 2009, 29 experts from 15 countries concluded that the use of dental amalgam results in 180 to 240 metric tons of mercury being discharged into the atmosphere, soil, and water every year. In contrast, 80 to 100 metric tons are recycled, sequestered, or disposed of securely, the report said. However, the report concludes, amalgam should not be banned outright because alternative filling materials are more expensive and not as reliable.

The report calls for research to improve filling materials and said the use of all dental filling materials should be reduced through measures that prevent caries.

The report drew praise from an antimercury activist group, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, which released a statement calling the report a “road map for the end of amalgam.”

However, a spokesman for the American Dental Association said it is not necessary to reduce the use of dental amalgam at all. “There is no reason per se to phase down amalgam,” Rodway Mackert, DMD, PhD, a professor of dentistry at Georgia Health Sciences University in Augusta, told Medscape Medical News. “The effect of doing that on the amount of mercury going into the environment is negligible.”

Dental caries are becoming an increasing problem in middle- and low-income countries as they adopt Western lifestyles, including high consumption of sugars, but have not yet begun widespread preventive programs, such as fluoridation, the report says. As a result, the need for filling materials is expected to grow in these countries.

Already, dental amalgam is releasing “a significant amount” of mercury into the environment, the report found. This pollution results from amalgam made for dental use but diverted to other purposes, from poor disposal practices, and from cremation, the report said.

It laid out “best management practices,” including bulk mercury collection, chair-side traps, amalgam separators, vacuum collection, recycling, and commercial waste disposal to prevent mercury from being released into the environment. It cited a US Environmental Protection Agency estimate that 3.7 tons of mercury are discharged into the environment from US dental practices each year.

Dr. Mackert said this is trivial compared with the 1500 tons generated by mining and other industrial uses in the United States, and he cited an US Environmental Protection Agency report saying that human activity only accounts for a third of the total mercury released into the environment. “Most of the mercury in tuna and things like that comes from natural sources like undersea volcanic vents,” he said. “Reducing man-generated mercury is so much silliness.”

He said the American Dental Association supports best management practices because if mercury gets into sewage sludge, then waste management companies cannot sell the sludge. However, amalgam has clear advantages over other restorative materials, so it should remain available to US dentists, Dr. Mackert said.

The WHO report considered the merits of amalgam vs other restorative materials. It cites a study finding that the repair rate for composite resin restorations was 7 times greater than for amalgams in posterior primary and permanent teeth.

On the hotly contested issue of toxic effects from amalgam, the report quoted a study by the Norwegian Dental Biomaterials Adverse Reaction Unit, finding that “the majority of side-effects of dental filling materials are linked with dental amalgam.” Most of these are skin reactions and pain occurring within a week after treatment.

The report noted that amalgam surfaces release mercury vapor into the mouth and lungs, but stopped short of attributing any health effects to this phenomenon, and pointed out that other restorative materials may also cause adverse reactions.

So far, only Norway has completely banned amalgam, but some other Scandinavian countries have policies for reducing its use. The report noted that wealthy countries are better able to avoid amalgam because they have been able to institute caries prevention programs, and because patients can afford more expensive materials.

Less-wealthy countries and indigent people living inside wealthy countries should not be deprived of access to amalgam restorations until better alternatives emerge, the report concludes.

Dr. Mackert has served as an expert witness for dental supply companies sued for producing amalgam. Dr. Petersen has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

World Health Organization. Future Use of Materials for Dental Restoration: Report of the meeting convened at WHO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland 16th to 17th November 2009. Released October 11, 2011. Full text

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Click on this link to see Lindsay Lohan’s comments on her whitening experience

Lindsay Lohan

Here at Bay Dental and Orthodontics we have access to a few different bleaching methods. we have Zoom but like Lindsay patients have experienced more sensitivity.

So we also have access to Pola and Lumibrite. With both , I find my patients  experiencing less sensitivity.

Let me know your experiences.

I look forward to seeing Lindsay Lohan’s pearly white teeth in her upcoming Photo shoot

I recently had the pleasure of meeting up with Dr Marc Liechtung the inventor of Snap-on Smile

Here is a link of Dr Liechtung on Channel 10 Adelaide

Snap-on Smile

Last Saturday, Bay Dental And Orthodontics was the proud sponsor of the ENCORE edition of the Exponential Extravaganza hosted by Dr Marc Dussault, The Exponential Growth Strategist.

The event was fully attended by Australian entrepreneurs and business executives who want to improve running their businesses or improve their careers.

We thought it was a worthwhile event that would enhance our position within this community of high achievers.

We know all too well how first impressions are important in sales, which is why we are promoting safe and gentle teeth whitening to our professional clients who deal with the public on a regular basis.

Give us a call now to book a no-obligation assessment of your teeth, to determine if you can whiten them safely.

Amalgam fillings are extremely controversial with many dentists, supported by dental associations, proclaiming that its component of mercury isn’t harmful to the human body. While scientific research is showing massive results of mercury poisoning, sometimes words still aren’t enough to make people understand the degree of dangers that lay with amalgam fillings.

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) decided that the next obvious step in raising awareness was to not just write about their scientific findings but to show everyone the cold, hard truth of the hazardous waste sitting in millions of people’s mouths.

Gaining notoriety, this video sent many patients with dental amalgams on the mission of having them removed and replaced with safer composite fillings:

After this video came out, the ‘seeing is believing’ approach caused a stir for dentists and associations dedicated to amalgam fillings.

Many pro-amalgam dentists and dental associations claimed that the video was a fake or a conspiracy while others argued that special effects were used to produce these vivid results.

Dr. Layton, an amalgam free dentist, came back stronger with a new video refuting any doubts of special effects by using the Jerome Mercury Vaporizer, the only instrument available to detect on-site mercury vapours:

After watching these videos, it’s impossible not to feel alarmed over the risks of amalgam fillings!

August is Dental Health Month, a whole month dedicated to educating people on the importance of keeping a good dental care regime. This regime should include brushing twice daily, flossing twice daily, using mouthwash regularly and visiting your dentist for regular checkups. Additionally, a professional clean every six months is integral in maintaining healthy teeth and gums and ensuring you don’t confront any serious dental concerns later down the track.

Just like us, our pets can suffer dental concerns, however, there is not enough emphasis placed on the importance of maintaining a consistent dental care regime for our furry companions. Periodontal disease (poor dental health) is one of the most common health issues in our pets with nearly 80% of domestic dogs suffering some form of it.  This is why ‘Doggy Dental Hygiene Month’ is so important. Good dental health for both you and your dog is integral in living a comfortable and happy life.

Plaque is the culprit when it comes to poor dental health. Plaque is a clear, bacteria filled, layer which accumulates on tooth surfaces. Plaque builds up within hours of the last brush and in as little as two days can contribute to the development of visible tartar. Additionally, the bacteria in plaque can cause inflamed gums or gingivitis, which is a problem for both humans and dogs alike.

Any subtle or drastic changes in your dogs eating habits can be a symptom of periodontal disease, it is important to act upon any of these changes as dogs will instinctively attempt to hide any signs of pain or weakness.  White or slightly off-white teeth and pink gums is healthy for both people and pets, however some breeds of dogs can have pigmented gums! So if your dog has builds up of plaque or signs of periodontal disease they may have bad breath, tooth loss, abnormal drooling, bleeding gums, dropping food, going to the food bowl but not eating, swallowing food whole or simply any change in eating habits.

The main contributors to periodontal disease in dogs are poor oral hygiene, old age and sometimes the causes can be breed specific, for instance, a small breed dog is more likely to develop a cramped mouth due to the mouth being too small for the teeth. Although brushing your dogs teeth twice a day is difficult to maintain, we still need to adopt a good dental health routine for our dogs consisting of regular brushing, recommended once a day, in order to remove plaque before it mineralises to tartar.

Dogs normally won’t take a liking to brushing their teeth immediately, it’s a good idea to introduce brushing slowly.  The best way to get doggy used to it is to begin with your finger, as the brush, and some beef bouillon, as the paste, when your dog is comfortable with this activity move up to a soft bristled Pet Tooth Brush with a small amount of pet tooth paste. Remember to reinforce good behaviour with treats and praise and make the whole experience pleasant and not stressful. It could take several days or a few weeks for brushing to become comfortable for your dog but by keeping brushing sessions short, positive and enjoyable, your dog should have the whitest teeth in the dog park in no time!

Regular dental check-ups for yourself or your dog are a great way to keep on top of any potential dental issues. When booking a check up be sure to let your vet know you would like your dog’s teeth checked and professionally cleaned, this will ensure that your doggy can maintain a healthy mouth. These check-ups should be conducted every 6 months or every vet visit.

Treats and toys that are hard and large are good to chew; they not only keep your pet entertained but also clean out any excess food that may have built up. There is also a range of chew toys which promote nicer breath and it may just be a matter of testing a range of toys with your dog before finding that perfect match. A good idea for teething puppies is to freeze these chew toys first, this can soothe a puppy in pain.

Nutritional management involves adopting a regular diet that maintains those professional cleans and regular brushes. The kibble in some dog food products (Hill’s Dental range) are specifically designed to ‘scrub’ your dogs teeth while eating thereby reducing plaque and tartar build up. For Dental Hygiene Month, Hill’s Science Diet is offering anyone who buys from the Oral Care Range the opportunity to win a Hyundai Getz!

So, in the future when you’re brushing your own teeth, be sure to keep in mind just how important it is to keep your pets mouth clean. Brush their teeth too, maintain regular check-ups and next time your shopping for doggies dinner be sure to look for a dental range, after all, even dog’s like to smile.

This blog post is supplied courtesy of Paddington Pups Doggy Daycare Centre, www.PaddingtonPups.com.au.