Can your mercury fillings be the cause of bad breath?

Many people have mercury fillings in their teeth. They are often called silver fillings; but the're not silver, they are made of a mercury amalgum. 'Silver' amalgam fillings are actually 50% mercury.

This causes two problems.

1. Mercury is toxic. 

Mercury is a toxic metal that can have a serious effects on health.

Dentists use mercury amalgum fillings because they are cheaper than the alternatives. In the UK, only mercury fillings are covered on the NHS. The alternatives have to be paid for privately, which is not an option for many people. 

2. Mercury Corrodes

Mercury fillings can corrode and crack in the wet environment of the mouth.

Over time, this inevitable corrosion causes serious expansion of the filling material, resulting in stress and fracture of the previously strong and healthy surrounding tooth structure. In simplest terms, silver fillings eventually "crack" the teeth they are placed in.   

The mercury filling can also cause an internal fracture of the tooth underneath the filling.

This crack can then become a pocket for food to get trapped in, and a breeding ground for bacteria to multiply.

The bacteria give off sulphurous odour particles.

So, in this way, mercury fillings may cause bad breath.

Make sure to get regular checks on your mercury fillings, and ideally get them replaced if necessary.

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