Polly: There are only a few things that people usually agree upon when it comes to removing mercury from the teeth and body tissue.
1) Root canal infections are common. Clear up any root canal infections before removing mercury fillings. When the fillings are removed, you don’ t want the released mercury vapors to be absorbed through the site of the root canal infection.
2) Build up your health as best as possible before considering the removal of mercury fillings and chelation therapy.
3) All your amalgam fillings should be out before you start DMPS chelation therapy. DMPS appears in the saliva and pull the metals out of the fillings. This would increase the exposure to mercury and other metals.
4) The amalgam fillings should be removed by a dentist well versed in the proper procedure. Don’ t have them removed without having a dam in your mouth, suction under the rubber dam to evacuate the slow collecting vapors, and an oxygen respirator so you can breathe clean air. (Check for the latest recommendations at the International Academy of Oral and medical Toxicology for procedures on dental mercury removal at http://www.iaomt.org. Also see http://www.dentistryhealth.com) Don’t remove all the fillings at once. In general, the slower, the better. If you are quite ill, don’t remove more than one filling at a time. In some countries, dentists will only remove one filling every 6 to 8 weeks; in the US, dentists will often remove a whole quadrant at a time. When selecting the replacement material, metal free dentistry is strongly suggested. Test for sensitivities when using resins. Make sure there is no mercury amalgam hiding underneath existing metal restorations. Before having the amalgams removed, make sure your detoxification systems (liver, kidneys, intestines) are working as well as possible. Thyroid improves detoxification. Get your thyroid levels correct before starting chelation.
5) Vitamin C keeps the reactions to the chelation therapy down. It should be taken with other antioxidants like vitamin E, NADH and coenzyme Q10.
6) Broad-spectrum mineral supplements should be taken. Zinc, copper, selenium, and molybdenum seem particularly important. These are needed to replace the mercury that is being removed from biologically active sites.
7) Check kidney function before starting any type of chelation therapy.
8) Watch neutrophil and other immune markers.
9) Make sure you are not constipated before using one of these chelators. You don’ t want to mobilize mercury and then not be able to excrete it. Colonics might help. Make sure your liver and all your detoxification systems are working as well as possible. Mitchell A. Fleisher, MD suggests taking some charcoal when doing chelation. This is to reduce the amount of mercury reabsorbed from the intestines. [2] Some doctors will add a little oral EDTA to absorb the mercury dumped into the intestines because EDTA mainly stays in the intestines. Pectin may help too.
10) Inbetween chelation treatments or campaigns, give your body a rest period to renormalize your mineral stores and your enzymes.
11) DMPS is sulfa based. If you have porphyria or reactions to sulfa drugs, don’t use it. Adverse reactions to DMPS exist and are likely under-reported. Be wary of any doctor who tells you that he hasn’ t seen or heard of any adverse reactions. He hasn’ t been doing his homework. DMSA is also sulfa based, so be careful with this too. Regular blood tests are recommended.
12) Monitor your reactions closely. Don’ t leave it entirely up to the doctor. You know your own body. Don’t ever continue a treatment approach that seems to make you much worse. Be especially wary of neurological symptoms.