Page 87 - Spring2018

All Thumbs Book Reviews

Mercury-Free: The Wisdom Behind the of its extreme toxicity. This chapter is crucial to
Global Consumer Movement to Ban understanding how such a horrific fallacy could
Silver Dental Fillings continue into the twenty-first century.
By Dr. James E. Hardy Chapter 4 (“Master of Disguise”) describes
Gabriel Rose Press the insidious nature of mercury and its mecha-
nisms of action in targeting selected organs such
The World Health Organization recognizes as the brain, kidneys and liver. Dr. Hardy also
mercury as one of the top ten most hazardous provides a brief but informative synopsis of the
substances to which humans are unnecessarily links between amalgam and a multitude of dis-
exposed. Amalgam fillings are composed of eases, and introduces his theory on autoimmune
approximately 50 percent elemental mercury disease and its ties with mercury (and other)
by weight. In 1996, James E. Hardy, DMD pro- toxicities. A significant amount of new evidence
vided consumers with a well-referenced, easily has accumulated that supports his theory.
accessible and excellently written book that not Chapter Five describes how unnatural levels
only describes how and why amalgam fillings of mercury are polluting the environment and
exist and poison people and our planet, but also poisoning us in ways of which we may be un-
discusses how to join the fight to prevent (some) aware. I learned that I have been contributing to
dentists from placing toxic volatile mercury into mercury pollution by improperly disposing of
our mouths and what to do if we already have mercury-containing products. Chances are that
amalgam fillings. Dr. Hardy wrote the book to you are, too. Further, and also unknowingly, I
“clear the air” and provide the reader “with a have exposed myself to mercury in many of its
guide to help…make informed, intelligent and toxic forms. Chances are, you have, too. Fortu-
appropriate choices about dentistry.” nately, Chapter 6 explains what you can do if
Sadly, over twenty years later, the book is you choose to become mercury-free.
not outdated because it is still common dental The additional science that has emerged
practice to use mercury fillings. Moreover, as since 1996 supports Hardy’s position that human
Hardy points out, even if your current dentist is beings should not be exposed to this toxic metal.
using non-mercury-containing materials to fill The new evidence should have caused the ADA Sadly, over
cavities, you and your loved ones still may not be and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) twenty years
safe because you may be walking around with a to reverse their outdated claims that amalgam later, the
mouthful of toxic fillings that were placed many fillings are safe. The days of viewing amalgam
years ago, with volatile mercury vapors seeping as the best solution for saving teeth are over! book is not
into your brain and body on a daily basis. Fortunately, we have the power to take care of outdated
Dr. Hardy first questioned the use of mer- ourselves and our loved ones. I recommend this because
cury in dental preparations as a freshman in book for readers interested in jumpstarting their
dental school, which did not go over well with knowledge of amalgam and its effects. Even it is still
his professors. (Hardy learned to keep his mouth those who are already well versed in this area common
shut and do his own research.) will appreciate a book that offers a refreshing, dental
Chapter 3 describes the history of how thoughtful and candid perspective from a dentist
amalgam came into use and why it is still used who chose not to remain quiet but instead had practice
today. Dr. Hardy bravely and clearly describes the courage to step out of the tenets of main- to use
the role of the American Dental Association stream dentistry and reveal its flaws. mercury
(ADA) in promulgating the supposed safety of Review by Teresa Franklin, PhD
a material the Association once banned because fillings.

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