AMALGAM for Dental Fillings

An amalgam is any mixture or blending of mercury with another metal or with an alloy. Most metals are soluble in mercury, but some (such as iron) are not. Amalgams are commonly used in dental fillings.

For some centuries dentists have been cleaning out decay and creating dental fillings, using filling material such as stone chips, resin, cork, turpentine, gum, lead and gold leaf. The renowned physician Ambroise Paré (1510 – 1590) used lead or cork to fill teeth. Amalgams were the first true standard filling material.

Mercury amalgams were used in dentistry because they were cheap, easy to use, durable, and regarded as safe. Modern low-copper amalgams have a powder component composed of 69.4%silver, 3.6%copper, 26.2%tin, and 0.8%Zinc, they have a liquid component of 42% to 45%mercury by weight. There is an ongoing discussion about the use of mercury in dentistry due to the toxic content of amalgams. Amalgam fillings have been shown to increase mercury blood levels. Even though mercury is considered to be a very potent neurotoxin, mercury fillings are still considered safe by most dentists.

Others, though, have quite a different take on mercury amalgam in dental fillings and contend that its safety is anything but certain. Says toxicologist Alan Stern, a contributor to a 2000 United States National Research Council report on mercury toxicity "It’s really unclear what’s going on with dental amalgams...It’s a snake pit". He also notes that "the issue is complicated by the potential for panic and lawsuits". IAOMT or the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology has put together a report which is, they say, "a review of the scientific evidence demonstrating significant exposure to mercury and resulting physiological harm from dental amalgam"
Reference at Source: wikipedia

Oral hygiene as a Personal Care

Brushing and flossing

Careful and frequent brushing with a toothbrush and flossing help to prevent build-up of plaque bacteria that change carbohydrate in our meals or snacks to acid which demineralises tooth eventually leading to tooth decay and toothache if acid episodes are frequent or are not prevented. Calculus (dental) or tartar buildup on teeth usually opposite salivary ducts is due to calcium deposits in resident plaque. Frequent brushing and swishing saliva around helps prevent these deposits. Cavities can be costly, in terms of the monetary cost to drill out the cavities and insert dental fillings, and in terms of the tissue already damaged.

Almost all cavities occur where food is trapped between teeth and inside deep pits and fissures in grooves on chewing surfaces where the brush, toothpaste, mouthwash, saliva and chewing gum, cannot reach.

Removing food from between teeth is easy before brushing to help saliva and fluoride access to neutralise acid and repair demineralised tooth, but chewing fibre like celery string is necessary to force saliva inside deep grooves after eating.

Special appliances or tools may be recommended to supplement (but not to replace) toothbrushing and flossing. These include special toothpicks, water irrigation, or other devices. Initially electric toothbrushes were only recommended for persons who have problems with strength or dexterity of their hands, but many dentists are now recommending them to many other patients in order to improve their home dental care. In many parts of the world natural toothbrushes are used. In the Muslim world the miswak or siwak is made from twigs or roots that are alleged to have an antiseptic effect when applied as a toothbrush.

Reference at Source : wikipedia

ABOUT DENTAL CARE

This blog is about Dental Care. Dental Care or in clinical parlance Oral Hygiene is the practice of keeping the mouth clean. Oral hygiene is a health program to prevent cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, periodontitis, bad breath (halitosis), and other dental disorders.

This blog is all about Dental Care for a refreshing Life. I create this blog for my own reference regarding dental care or Oral Hygiene and I am willing to share this blog with you as I go along posting new and relevant informations regarding dental care.

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