by Dr John Whitman Ray

Environmental Toxicity – 12 Points on Dental Filling’s Mercury Toxicity

1. I have had the pleasure of testing several hundred patients and students in my field of Body Electronics with the Jerome Mercury Vapour Analyser. I have found only two people in all my testing who have not evidenced a continual toxic exposure to mercury vapour emanating from silver amalgam dental fillings under normal chewing compression. The amount of mercury vapour emitted under normal chewing compression exceeded in ten seconds what the maximum allowable mercury exposure would be in industry in a 40 hour work week as is indicated by both Russian and USA standards. This amount of exposure to mercury vapour is totally unacceptable to the scientific mind.

2. Dentists have been educated to believe that once mercury has been combined into the filling material, it remains “locked in” and cannot come out. The sad fact is that there is absolutely no scientific research in existence to support this hypothesis. To the contrary, all evidence indicates that silver amalgam containing approximately 50% mercury is a source of extreme toxic elemental mercury affecting the health of the human body.

3. Evidence now demonstrates that surface particles of the amalgam filling material are being chemically broken down and released into the oral cavity. These minute particles of mercury filling are acted upon by oral and intestinal bacteria to produce methyl mercury, an even more toxic form of mercury than elemental mercury with target areas being primarily the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, and the brain.

4. It has been demonstrated that dissimilar metals in the mouth can also contribute to electrical activity and corrosion (much like a battery) and can result in unexplained pain, ulcerations, inflammation and disruption of corresponding meridians in the body. This may result in a wide range of unexplained symptoms and disease.

5. The presence of mercury in dental amalgam fillings has been shown conclusively to adversely affect the body’s immune response. It has been shown that after amalgam removal the red and white blood cell levels tend to seek normal range with a corresponding increase in the body’s immune response as evidenced by T-lymphocyte count increase.

6. Research has indicated that mercury is the single most toxic metal that has been investigated, even more toxic than lead, cadmium or arsenic.

7. The International Conference on Biocompatibility of Materials was held in November 1988 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Many of the world authorities on mercury and mercury toxicity met to discuss the issue of dental amalgam and other materials used in dentistry. Their official conclusion was drafted and signed, which read: “Based on the known toxic potential of mercury and its documented release from dental amalgams, usage of mercury containing amalgam increases the health risk of the patients, the dentists, and the dental personnel.”

8. Autopsy studies from Sweden and Germany show a positive statistical correlation between the number of occlusal surfaces of dental amalgam and mercury levels in the brain and kidney cortex. It would be wise to point out that both elemental mercury and organic methyl mercury were found in brain tissue upon autopsy.

9. Dr David Eggleston of the University of California, found a T-lymphocyte count of 47% (ideal levels are between 70% and 80%) in patients with silver amalgam fillings. After removal of the amalgams the T-lymphocyte rose to 73%.

10. Multiple sclerosis patients have been found to have 8 times higher levels of mercury in the cerebrospinal fluid compared to neurologically healthy controls. Inorganic mercury is capable of producing symptoms which are indistinguishable from those of multiple sclerosis.

11. It is the responsibility of every dentist and doctor to inform and educate their patients to the effect that:

1. Mercury is contained in most dental filling material and all silver amalgam material.
2. Mercury in fillings can have toxic effects on some persons. Manifestations of the disease of mercury poisoning only start to become apparent three to ten years after the insertion of the mercury.
3. There are alternative materials that could be used for dental fillings that could have less or no after effects on the individual.
4. The patient has the right to insist that an alternative material be used.
5. The freedom of individual choice in health care shall be inherently respected and preserved as an individual right and responsibility of free men everywhere.

12. One must remember that the diagnosis of mercury intoxication is extremely difficult to ascertain because of the insidious nature of the onset of symptoms and because of most physicians’ unfamiliarity or misinformation concerning proper testing techniques. Unfortunately, mercury is so toxic to the human organism that there can be cell death or irreversible chemical damage long before clinically observable symptoms appear indicating that something is wrong. Since organic mercury in some body tissues (e.g. brain) has a half life of over 25 years (i.e. it takes that body 25 years to get rid of 1/2 of a single dose of mercury under normal circumstances) it is only a matter of time and degree of exposure until some form of symptomology appears. With all this in mind we cannot fool with mercury toxicity or delay the “safe” removal of silver amalgam fillings by the hands of a knowledgeable and responsible dentist.

Please feel free to copy, duplicate and/or pass this information on to the next party.
Our health collectively is dependent upon this type of information or else we succumb to disinformation.

The following article discusses relevant safety and efficacy issues when deciding how best to approach the removal of mercury amalgam dental fillings.

1. Have an electrical reading of your amalgams done by a naturopath or dentist experienced in this area. An electrical current reading gives a general idea of the speed of electrochemical reactions occurring on the surface of the fillings. It also reflects the conditions that encourage conversion of elemental mercury into methyl mercury. The higher the negative charge, the faster the conversion rate. Positive charges are still detrimental but are of a lower priority. There is no safe level of mercury in the body, thus even if a filling may not be leaking much today, it is only a matter of time before leakage accelerates and health problems develop. 

Charges may change within days, depending on the level of corrosion on the filling surface. The more serious the health challenge, the more important is the sequence of removal and testing may need to be repeated before each session. The sequence should be followed as closely as possible, most negative to least negative, then most positive to least positive. The goal is to remove the fillings that are exposing the body to the highest levels of mercury first. 

Although there is some debate as to whether electrical testing is valid, it is important that at least either the biggest fillings or the fillings most likely to leak are removed as soon as possible. Such leakage can amount to more than half the total amount of mercury originally present in the filling. Where did this mercury go? 

As an additional precaution, many dentists recommend not crossing the midline of the mouth during a session to reduce disruption to the nervous and meridian systems tied-in with the teeth. In such cases it is common practice to remove amalgams no more than one quadrant or side at a time, following the removal sequence as faithfully as possible.

2. Get tested for biocompatibility of replacement filling materials. Some replacement materials may cause other health problems. As an example, some materials contain slow-release fluoride, which destroys the immune system. More information on fluoride can be found in “Fluoride Suspected of Harmful Side Effects” by Dr Sir John Whitman Ray in “The Patient’s Guide to Body Electronics”. 

There is no single material that is universally biocompatible for everyone. Ideally, a serum (i.e. blood) compatibility test should be performed, but an EAV, MORA or LISTEN compatibility test is better than no test. Generally, composite resin materials such as the “Diamond” range are safe bets in the absence of testing. Avoid the use of metals wherever possible (especially nickel and copper). Even gold can be incompatible, owing to the fact that gold is only used as an amalgam with other often toxic metals.

3. Start dietary supplementation according to your test results at least one or two weeks before amalgam removal. This will accelerate mercury excretion (both elemental and methyl forms) from the body. Follow-up testing for toxicity will help identify how long a special nutritional programme should be followed after amalgam removal.

4. Avoid the 7-14-21 day immune cycle by not having removals performed on the same day each week. The immune system is weak on these days as “the guard is changed” from old immune cells (neutrophils) to new cells. Also avoid removal on the 7th, 14th or 21st day after some other immune challenge such as a flu or other illness. According to Dr Hal Huggins, the “echo” of old challenges remains in the body for at least this long.

5. Use a dentist who does not place mercury or fluoride fillings (to minimise your exposure to mercury in their office and as a measure of their commitment to your health) and preferably one who has taken special precautions in their office to avoid further exposure to mercury vapour. 

These include: special air-purifying ventilation systems, additional exhaust ducting in the immediate vicinity of the patient (sometimes hand held), high volume suction and high volume cold water irrigation equipment handled by an assistant (in addition to the cold water irrigation from the drill itself), the use of non-toxic paints, carpeting and furnishings, etc. As a benchmark to assess how seriously your dentist regards mercury toxicity, if they take few precautions for themselves, such as wearing protective gear like face masks, they probably mistakenly consider the risk low.

6. Many amalgam removal specialists recommend the use of a “rubber dam”. This is basically a piece of thin latex rubber stretched across your mouth with only the teeth being worked on exposed to the air. This minimises the possibility of any splashes of mercury being ingested inhaled during drilling. Do not attempt to breathe through the mouth so as to avoid inhalation of any mercury vapour which may build up beneath the dam. If oxygen is available through a nose piece, use it. Some dentists consider the dam unnecessary in favour of special high volume irrigation and suction equipment as above. Let the dentist use the equipment, techniques and materials they are most experienced with but make it absolutely clear that no mercury inhalation or ingestion is acceptable. 80-100% of inhaled mercury vapour is absorbed by the lungs and enters the bloodstream, where it can be distributed to all parts of the body.

7. Due to its extreme volatility, mercury vapour pressure doubles with every 10°C increase in temperature. Therefore precautions to limit this temperature rise should be employed. Continual cold water irrigation and sectioning each filling into chunks to reduce temperature rise from excessive grinding are two such precautions.

8. Ensure complete mercury removal. In some cases mercury has been found beneath composite fillings, in root canals (root-filled teeth) and in the gums (amalgam tattoo).

9. There are a variety of intravenous chelation and immune support compounds that can be administered during and after the actual dentistry. These substances have a high bonding affinity for mercury and are intended to specifically target the removal of residual mercury from body tissues to facilitate elimination. Although some of these compounds may be of a suppressing nature, it should be carefully considered as to what the highest good is at the time of amalgam removal. After amalgam removal, the dietary programme should include some form of chelation substance such as “DMSA” (2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid) until testing confirms that all mercury has been released from the body. An excellent dietary programme accelerates this process dramatically. 

10. Look for a dentist or clinic that can offer an integrated care package of testing, nutritional advice, dentistry and follow up testing. No chances should be taken with amalgam removal if any improvement is to be expected.

11. Avoid exposure to mercury from other sources such as fish, paints, cosmetics and some medications.

12. If there is any doubt as to why all metals (particularly mercury) should be removed from your mouth, read “12 Points on Mercury Toxicity” by Dr Sir John Whitman Ray and books such as “It’s All in Your Head” and “Uninformed Consent” by Dr Hal Huggins, “Silver Dental Fillings, The Toxic Time Bomb” by Sam Ziff, and “A Patient’s Guide to Mercury-Amalgam Toxicity” by Dr Roy B Kupsinel.

Dr Sir John Whitman Ray founded Body Electronics, the Science of Bodily Regeneration, a healing modality considered by many to be one of the greatest gifts to mankind.

He was the author of the Logic in Sequence Series, consisting of Book One – The Laws of Perfection, Book Two – The Healing Crisis, and Book Three – The Electrification of Matter. He also wrote the Patient’s Guide to Body Electronics.

He founded the following seminars: Health and the Human Mind, Iris-Sclera Integrated Diagnosis, Body Electronics, Cranial Electronics, Advanced Procedures, and Visualisation and Consciousness (instructional classes leading to the epitome of mind-body concepts, the Time-Space-Continuum-Warp).

Dr Ray had a great number of health credentials including: BA, ND, DSc, PhD, MD (MA), Dr Ac.

Dr Ray received many awards. Among them is the Golden Eagle Wing Feather, awarded by Chief Wolf of the Turtle Clan during a special pipe ceremony as a special recognition from the Great Spirit for his service to humanity. This occurred in 1986 at the home of the Seneca Indian Nation in New York. Dr Ray was then made a member of the Wolf Clan and the Teaching Lodge of the Seneca Indian Nation. The Seneca Indian Nation is part of the Iroquois Confederacy.

At the World Congress of Medicina Alternativa, 28 November 1993, Colombo, Sri Lanka, he was awarded life membership in the International University for Osteopathy, affiliated to the United Nations University of Peace in Costa Rica.

He received the Pax Mundi Award (World Peace Award) from the Academie Diplomatique De La Paix, issued under the Patronage and Authority of the Dag Hammarskjold Awards Committee, under the auspices of the United Nations. This was presented at the World Congress of Medicina Alternativa in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1993.

He was awarded a Gold Medal for excellent contributions in the field of alternative medicine by the World Association of Integrated Medicine, Indian Foundation for the Development of Integrated Medicine, Prashanti Medical Care Institute, Varanasi, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi and CCRAS unit, Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, India. Awarded at the first International Academic Programme on Integrated Medicine, 12 November 1995, Varanasi, India. The World Association of Integrated Medicine is appreciated by the World Health Organisation.

He was accepted into the Sovereign Military Order of Saint John of Jerusalem – Knights of Malta and knighted on 25 November, 1995 in Colombo, Sri Lanka under the auspices of the International and Ecumenical Priorate of the Holy Trinity of Villedieu.

At the time of his death in April 2001, Dr Sir John Whitman Ray was Patron of the Body Electronics Institute of New Zealand (BEINZ) and was serving as President of the World Association of Integrated Medicine, of which he was a founding member.