November 13, 2023

Antibiotic Resistance and Mercury – The Surprising Connection!

By Michelle Perro, MD, DHOM

Headlines are rife with warnings about the next new “superbug” – a term for an exceedingly resistant and virulent microbe. Whether bacterial, fungal, or viral, these bugs have developed formidable resistance to medications – making them difficult to contain, even with aggressive conventional methods.

Take antibiotics, for instance. According to the World Health Organization:

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today.
Antibiotic resistance can affect anyone of any age in any country.
Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is accelerating the process.
A growing number of infections – such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, and salmonellosis – are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective.
Antibiotic resistance leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality.¹

While it is common to think about antibiotic use as the primary driver of resistant organisms, there are other causes as well.

Consider this – antibiotic resistance for many people stems from the effect that mercury amalgams have on the microbiome.

Mercury and Antibiotic Resistance

Studies have traced the path of mercury vapor from dental fillings and showed it migrating through the bloodstream, where cells transform it into a mercury ion. It is then excreted by the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through the stool. The GI tract is home to the vast majority of our microbiome, some of which are mercury-resistant bacteria. To protect themselves, these bugs convert the ionic mercury back into a mercury vapor.

The problem? A landmark study showed this process also caused significant antibiotic resistance in those microbes. The study examined monkeys before and after dental fillings. The results of the monkey study showed the following:

Before dental fillings, monkeys had very low rates of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
After dental fillings, oral and intestinal microbial resistance increased significantly.
These findings were attributed to an increase in mercury-resistant plasmids – pieces of DNA that also carry the genes for antibiotic resistance.

The study postulates that genes responsible for protecting microbes from mercury poisoning are often bundled with genes that confer antibiotic resistance. The mercury from fillings initiates antibiotic resistance in these bugs by upregulating the activity of antibiotic-resistant genes.

Mercury – Does Anyone Still Use That?

Dental amalgams have been around since 1895. According to the Encyclopedia of Environmental Health, “Probably billions of people throughout the world have mercury amalgam fillings in their teeth. Although the use of amalgam fillings has been decreasing, particularly in developed countries, it has been estimated that, between 1993 and 2008, about 900 million dental amalgam fillings were inserted in the United States—an average of 60 million per year.”²

The American Dental Association (ADA) maintains that silver amalgams are a safe and effective cavity-filling option.³ The FDA produced a statement that certain groups, such as children and pregnant women, are at greater risk from mercury and should avoid silver amalgam exposure.⁴

Despite this divergence in positions on amalgams between the ADA and the FDA, the literature clearly demonstrates that mercury is a toxicant, with vapor from amalgams causing issues in the brain, thyroid gland, breast, heart, adrenals glands, liver, and kidneys – literally throughout the body. The FDA is correct in cautioning pregnant women against mercury fillings. Mercury is especially concerning for the developing human and, unfortunately, travels through the placenta into the fetal brain, including into breast milk.

It All Begins in the Mouth

While the effects of mercury toxicity and antibiotic resistance on the gut microbiome have been investigated, other areas have yet to receive much attention. That applies to the link between what’s in our mouths and the effects on our microbes, in particular to the very concerning issue of antibiotic resistance.

The GI tract begins with the oral cavity. There are collections of microbes throughout our bodies, and there is an oral microbial community that also exists in our mouths. It appears that dental assaults on our teeth, although unintended, have significant effects on our microbes and, ultimately, on our health.

Remember that the oral microbiome in the monkey study showed alterations in antibiotic resistance with the introduction of mercury amalgams? This is just one of many ways the oral microbiome plays a role in our overall health.

Oral dysbiosis also contributes to:

Dental caries, which may then be filled with mercury amalgams
Translocation of pathogens to the gut, resulting in gut dysbiosis⁵
The upregulation of genes responsible for antibiotic resistance

The good news? The oral cavity is easy to access and treat. And there are proven strategies for creating robust oral microbial health.

Prevention Over Treatment – Begin in Childhood

Because dental caries are one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, prevention of the “drill and fill” scenario is key.

Below are some simple solutions to improve the health of the oral microbiome and decrease the risk of caries:

Decrease dietary carbohydrates, especially refined sugars
Eat an organic diet rich in antioxidants
Increase nutrients such as

vitamin D intake (sunshine counts!)
Dietary minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium (which can antagonize preexistent mercury exposure/toxicity)

Decrease foods high in phytates (mineral blockers found in grains, nuts, seeds, and beans) by pre-soaking and sprouting, which can help reduce phytic acid by 50-100%⁶
Usage of sealants as prescribed by a dental health professional
Early introduction of brushing, flossing and/or oil pulling (coconut oil is a tasty choice)
Select oral care products that promote health with a systemic reach, such as the Dentalcidin Oral Care System
Regular visits to a functional or biologic dentist.
A holistic plan for prevention (or treatment if caries already exist).
Prebiotics and oral probiotics (chewables are easy to administer for children) to seed beneficial bugs and keep the opportunistic microbes in check

When It Comes to Available Fillings, Here are the Options:

Dental amalgams, also known as “silver fillings,” have been around since 1895. A mixture of mercury (50%), silver, tin, and copper, the mercury binds the metals together, increasing both the strength and durability of the compound.

Composite fillings (which are now commonly used, especially in children), also known as resin fillings, are made of a ceramic and plastic compound. They are more aesthetically pleasing and require less drilling but may be less durable than silver amalgams.

Gold fillings are a durable option, but because of the price, many prefer to wear gold as jewelry rather than inside their teeth.

Porcelain fillings are made from a ceramic polymer, and although they are more expensive, their durability exceeds gold or composite by up to twice as long.

Resources:

Professional Benefits

Biocidin Academy