Multiple Sclerosis: Mercury Dental Fillings

Topic Overview

There is no evidence to support the claim that mercury from dental fillings can make MS symptoms worse. Any reduction of MS symptoms after removal of mercury amalgam fillings is most likely a coincidence. It likely occurs because the person has entered a period of remission that is not related to the dental treatment. The placebo response in people who have MS may be as high as 70%. This makes it very hard to know that treatment caused an improvement in symptoms.

Some alternative medicine practitioners say that vapor that escapes from the mercury in dental fillings can lead to changes in blood composition. They think that this may contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. They claim that removing the fillings can benefit people who have MS.

Treatment involves removing mercury amalgam fillings. The person is tested for the best replacement filling material. Then that material is used to replace the mercury fillings. The person also gets detoxification therapy. This may include nutritional support to balance body chemistry. It may also include the use of compounds to remove mercury from the body (chelating agents), vitamin C supplements, and psychological counseling.

Warning

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has warned against the removal of amalgam fillings from people who have MS. NMSS considers it an unethical practice to remove fillings to treat MS.