Amalgam fillings when BF...

[Emx]

I desperately need two fillings... I had a dentist appointment today and my dentist advised that if I am breastfeeding its not recommended I have amalgam fillings put in, or indeed have my old ones drilled out to be replaced (so I dont even have the option of white fillings instead) as there is a risk of mercury going into my bloodstream and therefore breast milk etc..

The thing is, I want to BF Lani for as long as possible and then TTC for my second baby early next year...

The dentist basically said she definitley wouldnt do an amalgam filling if I was pregnant but that she basically doesnt think there is a big risk when breastfeeding... but that I had to be aware that a risk is there...

Arghhh!!! Do any of you lovely ladies have any current information on dental work and breastfeeding please???

 

[Elski]

I had 2 fillings after my LO was born (I think she was around 14 weeks old)... they were white fillings (is that amalgam?) and the dentist didn't say anything to me about holding off until I'd finished BFing and I did state that I was so I'm assuming it's ok

 

[Emx]

White fillings are safe - so as long as they are going into teeth that dont have fillings already its ok... unfortunately if I was to have white fillings I would need old amalgam (silver) fillings drilled out first and this can release mercury into the blood..

 

[Elski]

Oh I see, I'm sorry, I understand your first post now! (baby brain )

 

[Emx]

Oh dont worry - its so bloody confusing... just googling 'amalgam fillings and breastfeeding' brings up a whole load of horrible and scary information, I have absolutely no idea what to do about it really... Let all my teeth fall out probably!!!

 

[Scooby12345]

I've had a filling whilst bf, the dentist just didnt use one type of anaesthetic. Get in touch with La Leche League, they are really helpful.

 

[Scooby12345]

just found this https://www.kellymom.com/health/chemical/mercury.html

 

[Kitten]

It's one of 'those' debates like the MMR vaccine. Where it's considered to be an unpublicised problem. I had to have 2 fillings when bf and I kept on and on at my dentist telling her I was bf and I think she gave me white ones. In fact, she did give me white ones. As I was on mat exemption I never saw it on paper though as I didn't get an itemised bill and receipt like usual.

 

[Emx]

Thanks Kitten - thats interesting to know - as my dentist has said that if she puts in white fillings I will have to pay privately (90 quid each) even though I have Maternity Exemption!!

 

[Emx]

Thanks Scooby - that makes more sense than a lot of what I have read - I think I will contact La Leche too and see what they say x

 

[Foogirl]

I had a couple of fillings, I don't think they were white ones. My dentist never even asked and it never occurred to me to tell him.

 

[becstar]

I had my first and only filling a couple of months back, and it was an amalgam one... I told the dentist I am bfing and he didn't mention any problems, just chose the drugs appropriately. TBH it never really occurred to me that it might be an issue? And by the looks of the kellymom link it doesn't seem to have any adverse effects.

 

[becstar]

PS I am also vege and never eat fish so maybe I can feel less guilt if I think of that!!!