Health Effects of Dental Mercury Exposure

In this lesson you will learn how dental mercury exposure, particularly from amalgam fillings, has been linked to a wide range of serious health issues. Pregnant women with amalgam fillings may face increased risks, such as perinatal death and congenital abnormalities like infant cleft palate. Mercury exposure is also implicated in infertility, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and diseases influenced by luteinizing hormone. Additionally, research suggests that mercury toxicity can manifest as chronic fatigue, memory impairment, and depression, with some evidence connecting it to chronic illness, anxiety, and even suicide. Mercury exposure has also been associated with color vision loss, oral lichen planus, and increased risks of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, arthritis, and asthma. Furthermore, a dose-dependent relationship has been observed between mercury from dental amalgams and kidney damage, highlighting the broad and severe implications of mercury toxicity on human health.