Dental amalgam, commonly used in fillings, is approximately 50% mercury by weight. Unfortunately, it leaches into your body and has the potential to harm your health.
Today, I issued guidance recommending against amalgam for dental fillings. Safer alternatives exist.
Patients… pic.twitter.com/tZ8DMQFuJb
— Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD (@FLSurgeonGen) August 25, 2025
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo recommends against the use of dental amalgam for routine fillings due to the risk of mercury exposure.
Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, consisting of liquid (elemental) mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper. Approximately half (50%) of dental amalgam is elemental mercury by weight. Dental amalgam is estimated to be responsible for 60-95% of mercury deposits in some human tissues. Researchers have found mercury levels in blood and urine are significantly higher in persons with amalgam than those without, and the levels correlate with the number of amalgam fillings.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDOH/bulletins/3ef6997