Eliminate mercury in dentistry: Activists

Health activists raised concern on Saturday over the use of toxic mercury in dentistry, reports UNB.

They came up with the demand at a press meet, jointly organised by World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and Asian Centre for Environmental Health with assistance from Environment and Social Development Organisation, at a restaurant in the capital's Dhanmondi area.

The organisers said use of dental amalgams containing mercury in

filling up the decaying teeth pose huge threat to human health as the amalgam eventually break down and release the toxic mercury into the blood.

Environment and Social Development Organisation member Shahriar Hossain, also a victim of dental treatment with amalgam containing mercury, said mercury weakens the body's immune system, causes damage to the brain, kidneys and can cause memory disturbances also.

Mercury also causes skin cancer, miscarriages and infertility and environment, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, World Alliance for Mercury Free Dentistry president Charlie C Brown said there are available alternatives to dental amalgam - such as composite resins, glass ionomer cement, plastic ionomer, compomers and giomers.

As these are as cheap as dental amalgam, use of amalgam containing mercury should be avoided, he added.