Can mercury filling cause bad breath?

Answer 1

I cannot say that they 'cause' bad breath but it's possible they can contribute to the problem. Mercury fillings are one things debated amongst dentists whether they are better or worse for you.

It is not so much a risk but somehting to account for when you think that when you bite or grind your teeth together the mercury can very slightl wear aware and you swallow the smallest amount but even that small amount is never going to be good for you. Mercury (amalgam) fillings contract at a different rate to the tooth. So when you bite on something the filling actually works against tooth. This is very bad news for people who grind their teeth as it can very commonly cause broken or cracked teeth.

If a cracked or broken tooth is left untreated for a long period of time the risks of developing an absess grow larger and larger. Absesses lead to either removal of the tooth (depending on which tooth is the problem) or a procedure called root canal treatment. Not always a painful procedure despite it's reputation but an expensive and time consuming treatment. If an absess does not form but there is little tooth structure left to rebuild a tooth with then a procedure they call a Crown Preparation will more than likely be required. But always ask your hygienist or dentists. A proffesionals point fo view is more assuring than a random on the internet.