Common Things That Aren't Actually Carcinogens

Dental Fillings

Silver dental fillings were commonly used up until the introduction of white fillings, and still used presently as a cheaper alternative to white fillings. However, there have been claims made that dental amalgams or silver fillings have the potential to increase an individual's risk of developing cancer. The basis of this claim involves the composition of the silver fillings including copper, silver, tin, elemental mercury, and trace amounts of other metals. Extensive studies have been carried out on dental fillings containing mercury because it is known to be a poisonous substance to humans at certain levels and types of exposure. The claims seem to lock on to the misconception that it doesn't matter what amount of mercury is in the fillings, but exposure in any amount can be harmful. However, this is simply not true, as the human body itself naturally contains amounts of mercury significant enough to be measured. Larger amounts of mercury vapor inhaled into the lungs can cause cellular damage that may lead to cancer, but metallic mercury used in dental fillings is non-toxic when it is swallowed. The association of occupational mercury exposure dangers with the small amount of mercury used in dental fillings is likely the driving factor behind the claims that fillings can cause cancer.