>Dear Lacnetters,
>I have a client that is scheduled in January to have amalgam fillings
>removed. She is exclusively nursing a 3 month old baby. I received a
>reply from Dr. Hale but wanted to share the information with others in
>case they come across this.
>Her doctor and her dentist told her she would have to stop
>breast-feeding. My thoughts were that those fillings were there during
>her pregnancy and for the three months that she has been nursing, why is
>this now a problem?

She did have the fillings during her pregnancy and post partum, but they 
were set into her teeth. During the removal procedure the mercury-based 
fillings will be drilled out and vapors will be in the air she 
breathes.  She will be breathing levels of mercury that have not been 
available to her before the procedure. The amount will depend on whether 
they are removing all of the fillings in that one procedure and how many 
fillings she has. These factors will determine the length of time that she 
will be inhaling mercury.

In my opinion, it depends on how the procedure is done.  Her dentist and 
assistants will wear masks to prevent inhaling mercury fumes and the 
removed fillings and their residue will be deposited in a hazardous waste 
container and immediately sealed. Cautious dentists would give her nasal 
oxygen and insert a rubber dam into her mouth during the procedure so that 
she doesn't inhale any of the fumes. Inhaling high levels of mercury is not 
good for anyone.

I do not know if mercury is carried through breastmilk.  I will call my 
dentist tomorrow to see if he sees reason for concern regarding the baby 
even when the procedure is done with safeguards.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC









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