The European Union's decision to ban mercury dental fillings (amalgams) by January 2025 marks a significant step in public health and environmental safety. Justin Silverman covered some aspects of the ban in The New York Times on September 17, 2024, in an article called Mercury Dental Fillings and a New E. U. Ban. The author mentioned that removing mercury-containing fillings would cause further mercury toxicity. However, he neglected to tell readers that mercury-containing fillings, called amalgams, can be safely removed, leaving readers to believe they are stuck with their fillings. I will cover the ban, provide information on amalgams, explain the reasons for removing them, and explain how to do it safely.
Read MoreIn the past, lead aprons were commonly used in dental X-rays as a way to protect against radiation. In 2017, the ADA said it was no longer appropriate to use lead aprons when taking radiographs. However, recent research suggests that thyroid collars are also not necessary due to advancements in dental X-ray equipment and practices. According to a detailed review, modern technology significantly reduces stray radiation exposure, making lead aprons and thyroid collars sometimes unnecessary. The American Dental Association (ADA) has updated their guidelines to reflect these findings and to avoid repeated X-rays and increased radiation exposure caused by the use of unnecessary protective gear.
Read MoreWelcome to part five. The use of toothpicks is uniquely human. The famous dental anthropologist Peter Unger discovered tiny striations in teeth that could not be caused by chewing. He concluded that the marks could only have been caused by the overuse of toothpicks made of hard materials like bone. He also drew a parallel between tool use and the introduction of meat to humans' diets. Ungar said toothpick use is one of the first lines of evidence from the hominid fossil record that shows our genus consuming significant amounts of meat in the ancient past. Tooth picking likely served to remove food, especially meat, but it caused visible damage. To quote him, "Teeth are not well designed for eating meat, so our early ancestors had to use toothpicks." This post will cover the evidence and discuss the proper use of toothpicks.
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