July 13, 2018.
Since 1er July, the use of dental amalgam is prohibited in the European Union on minors under 15, pregnant or breastfeeding women. We tell you everything.
Risk to fetuses and young children?
MEPs voted a regulation which prohibits, since 1er July, dental amalgam, also called fillings, in children under 15, pregnant and breastfeeding women. But what prompted Parliament to take such a decision? Does this metal alloy composed of a mixture of silver, tin and liquid mercury constitute a danger to our health?
The regulations, adopted on May 17, 2017, has set itself the goal ” phase out the use of dental amalgams ” in the European Union ” preferably by 2030 “. Some studies have indeed shown that exposure to mercury can lead to the development of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. But nothing has yet been proven when it comes to fillings.
An environmental issue as well
In a report published in 2015, the French Health Security Agency even explained that the dose of mercury absorbed daily by the body due to the presence of a filling was very low and did not pose a risk to health. The European Parliament therefore wished legislate as a precautionary principle. To avoid any panic effect, the Ministry of Health also wanted to reassure patients who would have one or more fillings.
” To date, no rigorous scientific study has been able to demonstrate the harmful effects of amalgam fillings on the general health of patients. “, He says on his site. This decision would also have an ecological aim. “ The use of mercury in dental amalgam represents the most important use of mercury in the Union and constitutes a significant source of pollution », Noted the MEPs. They should therefore be phased out completely.
Marine Rondot
Read also: All you need to know about cavities
