Amalgam (fillings) allergy as autoimmune trigger anyone?

[MAT51]

Hi has anyone tried getting all old Amalgam (mercury) fillings replaced or been tested for an allergy to Amalgam? I was referred by my dentist to discuss this with oral consultant at the dental hospital - with a view to testing me and getting them all replaced. The symptoms suggesting this as a possibility to me are the fact that up until my menopause I had severe eczema, allergies and alopecia - especially as a child and young adult, after a lifetime of poor teeth which crumbled often and having had about 8 or 9 fillings and three lots of root canal. I never ate sweets (was forbidden! And always looked after my teeth well.

When I finally got to the dental hospital my rheumatologist had also referred me for possible SS and then my lip biopsy was difinitive. But I still have invisible burning gums and lips after a lifetime of rashes around my mouth, causing permanent spider veins/ telengecstasias now. Does Amalgam sound like a potential trigger for Sjogrens/ Autoimmunity?

[irish]

I had a mouthful of these filling for many years. I started with autoimmune disease around age 21 and my dental issues really started in my mid thirties. I had my first tooth pulled at age 25 and then in my thirties I started having teeth removed and many cavities, abscesses, root canals, etc.

I ended up with so many teeth issues and had about 18 teeth left by the time I had the rest of them pulled. I had no change in my autoimmune health during this time. I just plain had autoimmune diseases and they continued to plague me and they still do. I had the rest of my teeth pulled in 2003 and have dentures.

It took me so long to get a dentist to pull my teeth and I was thrilled to have them out. It was a blessing to et rid of all the infections and abscesses plus the outlandish amount of dentist appts. I no longer have the expense or worry of my teeth. Irish

[anita]

I think you will find other threads on this if you use the search function.  I believe over the years, several members have asked the same question...and many felt there was some sort of connection.

I do know there is some differing opinions on whether these should be removed...or whether it is more dangerous to do so (due to risk of 'stirring' up the mercury).  There is a ton of info online on both sides to these opinions.  I imagine you will also find articles on whether there is a relation to AI disease as well.

[MAT51]

Thanks Anita. I'm honestly not just subscribing to the paranoid theory that I've seen a few people of my aquantance go for. I'm different in that I've had fillings for most of my life but also allergies and immune problems for as long so can't possibly expect to work out by myself, which came first.

What I'm wondering is actually a bit different to what others may be focussing on. Might I have a proper allergy to Amalgam - given that I had rashes all around my mouth right up until menopause (made me deeply self conscious and lacking in confidence as a teen and twenty something) and total alopecia twice and now the SFN in my gums and lips - which doesn't quite correspond with the usual BMS. I totally agree that it might be more disruptive to remove then now. But I might at least get an allergy test done by the dental hospital to rule in or out my theory. Although I suspect the oral med consultant will poo poo my suggestion anyway and offer me a very credible explanation of why. She was the one who advised me very pragmatically on whether to have lip biopsy. Her main reasoning was that my immunology and symptoms pointed to Sjögren's and I wouldn't be able to access anymore immunesuppresant medications unless I ruled it in or out. So she is a smart and knowledgeable woman and I will trust her judgement.

But because of my history I'm still wondering if I might have a Mast Cell Activation Disorder that warrants treating at source. Antihistamine does help the SFN, as did steroids. So there's method to my madness and reading up more on the amalgam arguments won't help because I'm not a scientist so both sides will seem equally persuasive and I don't want to go there again just now. Hope this makes sense to you?

[MAT51]

I had a mouthful of these filling for many years. I started with autoimmune disease around age 21 and my dental issues really started in my mid thirties. I had my first tooth pulled at age 25 and then in my thirties I started having teeth removed and many cavities, abscesses, root canals, etc.

I ended up with so many teeth issues and had about 18 teeth left by the time I had the rest of them pulled. I had no change in my autoimmune health during this time. I just plain had autoimmune diseases and they continued to plague me and they still do. I had the rest of my teeth pulled in 2003 and have dentures.

It took me so long to get a dentist to pull my teeth and I was thrilled to have them out. It was a blessing to et rid of all the infections and abscesses plus the outlandish amount of dentist appts. I no longer have the expense or worry of my teeth. Irish

Thanks for this Irish. Both my dental problems and my autoimmune problems (specifically alopecia) started when I was a young child. So my history is very different to yours but I'm also fortunate that we have very good free NHS dentistry in Scotland. We do pay for treatment but not enormous amounts and have check ups yearly plus hygiene appointments for free. This means I haven't needed to get any teeth removed - although I have occasionally begged them to! However it also means I still have a mouth full of old Amalgam and root canals.

[anita]

I would think that if you have a true allergy to the amalgam, then it would have presented itself with your first fillings.  Did you have these rashes, and mouth sore right after your first fillings?  If so, then it seems obvious that you are correct.

I would think an allergy test can be done quite easily.  If you are allergic, then you will be faced with more problems.  Of course, removing them would be best, but it's a very detailed procedure, from what I've read...and carries yet more risk.

BTW, I took your question as you stated...as an allergy, not paranoia in any form.  Others here (years ago) have asked/posted about allergies and/or immune related problems with the Sjogren's and amalgam fillings.   Our screwy immune systems can cause all sorts of strange reactions/allergies.  So it still might be worth using the search function to see what you come up with.

[irish]

I have to add that I had yearly dental cleaning and check ups at first and then went to every 6 months and then in later years the check ups were every 3-4 months much of the time. I was very good about my oral hygiene but my mouth had its own mind I guess. Irish

[MAT51]

I would think that if you have a true allergy to the amalgam, then it would have presented itself with your first fillings.  Did you have these rashes, and mouth sore right after your first fillings?  If so, then it seems obvious that you are correct.

I would think an allergy test can be done quite easily.  If you are allergic, then you will be faced with more problems.  Of course, removing them would be best, but it's a very detailed procedure, from what I've read...and carries yet more risk.

BTW, I took your question as you stated...as an allergy, not paranoia in any form.  Others here (years ago) have asked/posted about allergies and/or immune related problems with the Sjogren's and amalgam fillings.   Our screwy immune systems can cause all sorts of strange reactions/allergies.  So it still might be worth using the search function to see what you come up with.

Thanks Anita. I'm really not sure which came first - the first filling or the mouth rash. I was really young when both of these occurrred and it wouldn't have struck my mum at the time. She was too tied up with parenting and pregnancy. I recall dreading the frequent visits to the dentist partly because my mouth was so sore and stretching it open for dental work always exacerbated it. But that's all.

I'm really rather hoping that my theory is a red herring for the reason that I not want to have then all removed because it will inevitably mean more local anaesthetics, more risk of amalgam reactivation and more time, pain and expense. But equally I do hate having the burning and tingling in my lips. We will just have to see.

The reason I said that I didn't want to appear cranky about this is because I did put amalgam allergy into the search box and found only more tenuous speculations than mine. There is a whole camp, as I'm sure you know, who believe that amalgam is responsible for the rise in autoimmunity - most specifically some of the thyroid community. Many of those who spoke on the US-made Betrayal series subscribe to this theory. And it's fairly easy for someone like me to add it all up wrongly and end up going down blind alleys reaching eventual dead ends. So I thought at this stage I'd just stick to the specifics of my own story and avoid reading up. But I might just ulook for mouth rashes with Sjögren's before the day is out! X

[MAT51]

I have to add that I had yearly dental cleaning and check ups at first and then went to every 6 months and then in later years the check ups were every 3-4 months much of the time. I was very good about my oral hygiene but my mouth had its own mind I guess. Irish

I know - it's very galling when people with good teeth turn smug on us and explain how well they have looked after theirs - implication being that we haven't I always feel. Or in my case -that my parents didn't stand over us and make sure that we brushed our teeth properly as kids. My mum had very poor teeth herself and was completely paranoid about dental hygiene. Both my younger sisters have excellent teeth compared to me. It's just the luck of the draw.

A dentist once pointed out to my youngest son that the reason his teeth were so poor compared to his big brothers was most probably because he was a mouth breather as opposed to a nose breather. This could be a sinus issue too.  I often think that hearing this brought about a sea change with me because I became aware of my mouth breathing tendencies for the first time. I'm now a terrible bruxist but my teeth are in pretty good shape compared to my pre menopausal days. I do get through bespoke rubber mouth guards at rate of knots though and am getting jaw arthritis, so being a nose breather has its own down side!