Researchers have investigated the potential health risks associated with certain dental amalgams, used for filling tooth cavities. After studying data from some 15,000 people, they found that exposure to mercury could become toxic for the body in individuals with more than eight dental fillings.
Metals such as mercury, silver, copper and tin are frequently used in dental amalgams. As well as being relatively cheap, mercury is highly effective when it comes to plugging dental cavities. Researchers in the US analysed the effects of mercury exposure in nearly 15,000 patients with dental fillings to establish the level at which the substance could become toxic for the body.