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By Carrie Vitt of Deliciously Organic
In the spring of 2008, a simple trip to the dentist for a routine procedure turned my world upside-down.
I went to the dentist because of a cracked amalgam filling in one of my teeth.
I didn’t realize at the time that if you get an amalgam filling removed or replaced you should go to a biological dentist who’s been properly trained! The reason is that approximately 50% of a dental amalgam is toxic elemental mercury by weight. Improper removal of amalgam fillings risks heavy metal toxicity among other serious health woes.
Unfortunately, my conventional dentist didn’t take the proper, necessary precautions during the amalgam filling removal process, and as soon as I sat up from the chair, I felt sick and knew something was terribly wrong.
I stumbled out of the office and spent nearly a week in bed recuperating. I thought my reaction to the removal was strange, but I’d never read anything about amalgam fillings being a health hazard, so I didn’t put the two together.
After a week I regained some of my strength and got on with my life.
A few weeks later, however, I began to have problems with my complexion, including breakouts, rough skin and splotchy patches on my face.
I was familiar with the Weston A. Price Foundation and its traditional dietary principles as I was already eating an organic, nutrient-dense diet. I hadn’t changed anything in my daily regimen and was exercising regularly and sensibly.
I was confused as to what was happening to me.
As time went on, things got much worse when I broke out in inexplicable hives from the neck up. My face was swollen and red, peeled twice a day, and I felt like someone was holding a frying pan to my skin.
The worse part of this entire ordeal was that I went from doctor to doctor and they all told me I had dry skin, handed me a tube of steroid cream and sent me on my way. I’m not an idiot. I knew my skin wasn’t “dry”, and I knew I had to dig deeper.
I began eliminating things from my diet as I searched for a cause, but no change made a bit of difference. My symptoms got worse. I became very depressed and starting losing my hair. I didn’t want to go anywhere because not only did I look horrible, but I was in constant pain.
I slept with ice packs on my face to ease the burning. I became allergic to everything. If I ate lettuce, I would swell. If I ate meat, I would swell. If I walked into a room with too much perfume, I would swell.
So I stayed at home.
All day.
Every day.
After nine months I finally found a doctor who listened and ran tests. All of the allergy tests came back negative and my preliminary blood work was all “normal”.
Perplexed, she told me about an autoimmune disease that in some extreme cases causes hives. The results came in and I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease (a thyroid autoimmune disorder). The doctor told me to start a thyroid medication, but after some research, I learned the medication would only calm the symptoms and not heal the root cause of my disease. I decided to look for an alternative solution.
How Amalgam Filling Removal Triggered Autoimmune Problems
I began working with a certified nutritionist at Biodynamic Wellness to help me find the root cause of my disease. Remember the amalgam filling I had removed and filled? We discovered my thyroid had absorbed most of the heavy metals from the filling removal and consequently caused my liver to “back up” so it couldn’t properly filter any toxins my body encountered.
This helped explain the hives and thyroid disease. She put prescribed a grain-free, nutrient dense diet, and gentle detox therapies.
I Healed My Hashimoto’s with NO Thryoid Meds or Surgery!
After several years of discipline, detox and rest (and NO thyroid meds!), I’m happy to say my autoimmune disease including Hashimoto’s is now in full remission! My health struggles and path to healing led me to write my new book, The Grain-Free Family Table. In the book I share my entire story of recovery, tips to help reduce inflammation and encourage recovery from disease, and over 125 grain-free recipes to get you going on this new path.
If you’re struggling with an autoimmune disease, I highly encourage you to find a good nutritionist or holistic-minded, experienced health practitioner who can help you find the root cause of your disease and a specialized treatment plan for your body. Even if everyone around you says it can’t be done, follow your instincts. If you think it’s possible, run toward that hope.
After my experience, I truly believe that many of the diseases that ail us can be avoided or reversed with the right foods, detox and support.
You need to chelate with the Andrew Cutler Protical. Please read his book Amalgam illness. You will still have high levels of mercury in your brain regardless of diet or a super healthy lifestyle.
check out the International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine http://www.iabdm.org for the list of International members.
I have had mysterious hives for 9 months now. I do not believe in CHRONIC HIVES as I’ve been diagnosed. I believe hives show up to warn you that something else is going on with your body. I am tired of taking medication to put a bandaid on my issue. I’m so fed up with traditional doctors that refuse to delve deeper to find the real problem. This story has given me some hope as I did have an old filling replaced around the time my issue started and when screening was done, did have higher liver enzymes, which nothing further was done by drs.
You are not the only one. Modern Doctors are taught a strict paradigm and anything that falls outside their world view is considered quackery. Which is just willful ignorance and is only supported by those who have a severe case of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. (Pluralistic ignorance)
99.9% of all illness / disease has everything to do with poor vs good nutrition and the gut brain relationship.
There is a conflict of interest regarding modern medicine and health. To find the root cause and actually cure illness would put the industry out of business…
It is gross negligence to focus on treating the symptoms instead of where our focus should be…. Getting the proper nutrition and preventing disease from ever occurring in the first place.
Does anyone have a referral for a biological dentist in Sonoma County, CA? I went to a dentist listed on the IAOMT website (as well as others), but I was not at all impressed. The emperience made me wonder if she paid to be a part of the organization/s; she didn’t seem trained in safe removal/detox protocols at all. I was very uncomfortable. Needless to say, I didn’t move forward with removal and never went back. It makes me question who really is legitimade. The other problem is this… most won’t accept insurance (funny thing—she is the only one who did).
A good biological dentist is hard to find! The one near me has folks flying in from all over the country to see him. You may have to resign yourself to traveling out of town to get your amalgams out.
Like Sarah, I was also poisoned during the unsafe removal and replacement of an amalgam dental filling. At the time I was unaware that silver fillings were 50% mercury and a risk to human health. Seven days later I was struck with double vision and within weeks drooping eyelids. Neurologists diagnosed me with MS, Lupus and Myasthenia Gravis, three life-threatening autoimmune diseases. I had an ANA titre of over 10,000, elevated liver enzymes and rheumatoid factor. Through my own research I discovered that I had been mercury poisoned during the dental treatment which was the root of the neurological and autoimmune symptoms. I had all of my mercury fillings removed safely by an IAOMT dentist and worked with an alternative physician, who prescribed a change of diet and a variety of supplements. I slowly regained my health, but still have mild double vision. I have written an article relative to the legal and medical aspects of my case. As far as a biological dentist who is trained to safely remove your amalgam fillings, I do suggest an IAOMT dentist,.Their website http//www.iaomt.org offers a list of mercury-free dentists and a link to the safe protocol for removal. I suggest that you inquire of the dentist in your area whether they follow this protocol.
As Sarah and I did, you can also regain your health, however there is not one protocol for all, as we are all genetically different. However, an organic grain free diet will be beneficial for everyone, and certain supplements help the body to detox the mercury, lead and other heavy metals.
My story:Landmark Settlement Reached in Dental Amalgam Mercury Case
Freya Koss
Founder – PA Coalition for Mercury Free Dentistry
This story isn’t about me … It’s about Carrie Vitt from Deliciously Organic.
Hi Sarah, can you please share who your biological dentist is? You mentioned people fly to him from all over. Please share. Thank you
One of the best is, unfortunately, not in Sonoma, CA but in Houston, TX. He is my dentist and is on the cutting edge of biological dentistry. His name is William Glaros and you can find his video interviews on Youtube. His website is http://www.biologicaldentist.com He’s worth the trip. People come from around the world to see him.
There is a great biological dentist in Marin, CA (long wait). I was sleeping long hours of the days and most of the time could not walk down the block. Getting my amalgam fillings was the biggest step in my health recovery. Dr Brian Smith – Corta Madera, CA.
If you’re in California, I highly recommend taking the trip down to TJ to American Biodental. Not only are they as good as any Biodental in the USA, they are also about 1/4 the price. I have been down there for work and have many friends & colleagues who have been there as well. http://www.americanbiodental.com/
Good luck!
🙂
To find a biologic dentist, go to http://www.IAOMT.org.
Dr. Gary Verigan in Escalon, CA. People come from the Bay Area like me or farther. Or he might have a referral for the Sonoma area. Has a website.
I had 2 mercury fillings removed 2 months apart from each other. Even though they were using the suction I found a small piece of filling on my tongue. After the second removal I starting experiencing weird symptoms and looked up mercury poisoning. I went to an Urgency Room (like an ER) and the doctor actually laughed at me when I said I was there to have my mercury levels checked as I suspected mercury poisoning. He told me there was no way I could get mercury poisoning from having my mercury fillings removed. Didn’t ask me about my symptoms, didn’t do any tests, just discharged me.
Great article. Thank you for sharing this information. I really appreciate your research. Do you know of a database I can check for holistic health practitioners (and dentists) who are aware of Weston Price, particularly internationally? Germany is full of “Heilpraktiker”, but many of them are more occupied with the esoteric than with solid nutrition. I haven’t yet found a good way to cross-reference then with out making appointments with every single one and I haven’t met anyone here who has heard of holistic dentistry. Thanks!
How can I find a biological dentist? I have tried searching but no luck. I’m in MD not far from DE/PA. Can’t help wondering though if I should just leave it alone since there seem to be some significant risks to removal. I have hashi’s too.
Aloha Kelly,
I encourage you to check out this link to a blog post we wrote offering support to people like you who are looking for a qualified dentist to help them navigate to optimal oral health.
http://www.orawellness.com/blog/helpful-resources-to-find-a-qualified-dentist-to-assist-you/
I hope that helps!
Thanks,
Will
My husband is an MD who practices energy medicine- NAET, a non-invasive, painless way to eliminate toxins and heavy metals from the body. (Chico Integrative Health @ 530-899-7300, feel free to call and chat).
There are dentists who state they are biological, but they did not go through the certification process. You have to go to the biological dentist official website.
Hi Kelly,
I’ve been in the dental profession for over 30 years and I would highly recommend a fabulous biological dentist in King of Prussia, PA. Not sure how convenient that commute would be for you but he has people come from all over the country to see him. His name is Dr. Tony Lim. Here’s his website:
http://www.dentalwellnesscentre.com/
Good Luck!
I am celiac and have Hashimoto’s. Went to a holistic dentist in October 2013 and had 12 mercury fillings removed from my teeth that were put there when I was around 10-12 years old. I sat in a dental chair for two 4-hour sessions. Talk about HELL! When my dentist removed the fillings she did it properly with oxygen..fans..masks…glasses..you name it she did it. I wanted the fillings removed pronto because I felt near death…hair falling out..severe diarrhea…sleeping for 16 hours then eating and then ready to go back to sleep. I am still suffering from side effects of the removal but I don’t blame her…I had to react quickly because my body was declining so rapidly and I felt desperate and all the doctors wanted to give me was pharmaceuticals. I believe the Hashimoto’s was brought on because the celiac was not diagnosed early enough. Today I sit on a pile of medical bills with no cure in site. I had been following the Paleo diet for over 2 years but unable to gain weight until I added raw dairy back in which stopped my hair loss. Low D and B12 seems to be the norm for autoimmunes like myself which makes me wonder if we all have the MTHFR mutated gene. I will die before I let another doctor (who spends less than 15 minutes with me) tell me what is going on with my body. The prescriptions they gave me made me worse. There was no improvement…it was like putting a bandaid on a volcano. I had to help myself. I didn’t mess around. I started with GAPS and went to Paleo and now back to GAPS. Raw milk Kefir is a lifesaver. The first 3 days I drank it I was detoxing like crazy. I have been drinking it for 2 weeks and I still have off days but nothing to what I had before. The past 2 years I have just been waiting to die because there was nothing but drugs offered to me and the medical bills just kept piling up. They even tried to talk me into committing myself because I had a reaction to Ambien (which I later learned contained GLUTEN..enough said!?) Bottom line…everyone strengths and weaknesses are different. Don’t eat anything that GOD did not make. Eat it in its natural state or don’t eat it at all. Eat on a 4-day rotation so if you react hopefully won’t be so severe. And you should not have to PAY for knowledge. Don’t buy books. Use your local library and computer resources to learn what you can about chronic disease and detoxing. PRAY HARD and know your not alone! Hope this helps someone.
12 mercury fillings removed at once? Did you get an IV of vitamin C afterward? I am shocked that a dentist even a holistic one would have consented to that to be honest.
Aloha April,
Agreed Sarah. That’s too much, too quickly. Mercury is a notorious bugger in provoking autoimmune imbalance. I’m sorry you have been through such a challenge April. We align with your stance to not pay for knowledge. If the knowledge is available, freely circulate it for those looking for solutions. While kind of silly perhaps, that’s been our business model all along. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Hi there,
I have six silver fillings and want them removed, but I have to wait as I am still breastfeeding my baby. I went to my local dentist to ask what safety procedure they use for removal. The reply was none, I said what about all the mercury you will be exposing your patient to? The dentist said that there is not much left once the filling is compressed into the hole, as with this action makes mercury rises to the surface and once the filling has set most of the mercury is cut away. I will not be using this dentist and I have found holistic one, but will need to travel and also the cost for holistic removal is high.
Aloha Tracey!
Way to go!! You did exactly what we mentor our community to do! Ask intelligent questions to gather the mindset of the dental professional you are interviewing BEFORE consenting to sit in their chair!
You just saved yourself and your breastfeeding child a big hit to your immunity! Well done Dear. Excellent forethought.
Dr. Louisa Williams has a dental detox protocol – see her website Radical Medicine dot com. Some steps are to be done before the procedures, so don’t wait until afterward.