cavities and fillings

[doubtful]

I have some cavities that are going to need fillings soon. I know that there is a type of filling that is bad for you, but dont understand which one it is, so I was wondering should I get metal fillings or the white ones when I get my cavities filled.
I would appreciate any help.

[tanyalynn]

Don't get amalgam fillings. They're half mercury, and it slowly leaches out into your body.

[doubtful]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

Don't get amalgam fillings. They're half mercury, and it slowly leaches out into your body.

Are those the metal fillings?

[tanyalynn]

Pretty much yes, sorry I wasn't clear at first. There are stainless steel crowns and some people have gold (not sure if that's fillings or crowns or what), but for a basic cavity, a metal filling is mercury amalgam.

[doubtful]

Thanks, I am so glad I learned this BEFORE I got the fillings done!

[tanyalynn]

Thanks, I am so glad I learned this BEFORE I got the fillings done!

Yeah, I sorta wish I'd known.

[SleeplessMommy]

Amalgam fillings are commonly called "silver fillings". They are the ones to defiantly avoid - only about 50% of American dentists still place them.

You will want to get a composite filling, though if you are really rich a ceramic filling or gold filling would be an even better option.

Stainless Steel crowns (SSC) are safe but are commonly only used on kids.