Oral Galvanism Creates a Battery in Your Mouth: There can be an electrical current running between dental fillings, warns Dr. Lisa Butler

Many people are walking around with a condition known as oral galvanism, or the creation of an electrical current that forms between the metal fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, partial dentures and saliva. Two or more dissimilar metals are needed, and dental work using mercury, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, cadmium and others in the mouth. It is believed that differences within healthy and injured body tissue, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease tissue and bleeding gums, and tissue fluids can contribute to the galvanism.

Many people report of a metallic taste, feeling oral pain, a feeling of “burning mouth”, lichen planus (papules, lesions or rashes), mental sluggishness, memory problems and general fatigue.  The majority of patients that experience such symptoms are women, which are also more likely to be susceptible to nickel and general metal allergies than men.

The brain is a generator that produces measurable voltages in a variety of frequency ranges that control everything from our emotions to our motor skills. The galvanic effect of mixed metals in the mouth can cause voltages tens to hundreds of times greater than what the brain produces, and may cause currents and electromagnetism that interfere with the brain's electrical impulses, which control the voluntary and involuntary actions of the body, as well as the mind. Other alloys, such as nickel in the metal base of bridges and under porcelain crowns, have been documented to lower the functioning of immune cells.

There are plenty of non-metallic choices for fillings, inlays/on-lays, crowns, bridges and dental implants. Working with a naturopathic physician to help with detox during and after the removal process is advisable. A great way to start is with a biocompatibility test for dental materials. Currently, there are two such companies, and they are both located in Colorado. You need a prescription from a dentist or physician with the test kit and then take it to a local lab, like Sonora Quest or LabCorp. This is similar to an allergy test that uses a blood sample. Once the dentist has received the report information, they can choose the most compatible materials for the patient that contain no metal. Each person is unique, and one product does not serve every patient equally.

In searching for a dentist, look for one that can consider the health of the entire body. What is the consequence of the treatment? Look for the least invasive, most biocompatible option.

Lisa M. Butler, DMD, owns the Butler Family Dentistry, in Phoenix. Learn more about biologic dentistry and her services at 602-956-4807 or ButlerFamilyDentistry.com.