Smoking Teeth Confusion

Dr. Laidler’s criticism, Response to: "Smoking Teeth" - the truth gets "smoked out", reduces to the following propositions. First, he contends that what is actually being seen is water vapor; and second, since mercury is a heavier molecule than the other constituents of air (i.e. oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc) the mercury vapor could not rise, but would fall toward the floor. This analysis does is not consistent with the Laws of Physics and Chemistry for the following reasons.

First, atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) is a well substantiated scientific analytical technique used to measure a wide range of elements in various materials such as metals, pottery and glass. It is based on the simple fact that some elements in the Periodic Table absorb specific wavelengths of light. This constitutes that materials fingerprint. In the case of mercury vapor the absorbance wavelength is 253.7nm.

Thus, when a pure material is vaporized by the application of heat, while specific wavelengths are sequentially shone at it, the wavelength absorbed tells one the element making up the sample. In it simplest form, gold miners employ this principle when mining for gold. In the natural state, gold has a very high attraction for mercury; the miner heats his ore sample in a dark container, while shining an ultraviolet light. If a vaporizing shadow is cast, then mercury is present and the sample is likely gold. The amount of light absorbed is proportional to the concentration of the mercury.

The video “Smoking Teeth = Poison Gas” is simply an application of this Miner’s Test, using an amalgam filling, containing approximately 50% mercury, as the sample. Water vapor will not absorb the wavelength from the Miner’s light; and, it will not cast a shadow. Therefore, for Dr. Laidler to suggest it will is unfounded. In the video, the vaporizing shadow is caused by mercury atoms absorbing the spectrum from the Miner’s light. A light, scientifically designed to identify the presence of mercury, not water. Water vapor cannot be visualized with a 254 mm light.

Secondly, Dr. Laidler is correct when he states, “When molecules vaporize, the volume they fill depends on the number of molecules and their temperature”. This is called the partial pressure and the partial pressure for mercury in air is 0.00185 mm at 250 C. However, Dr. Laidler fails to report that the vapor pressure of mercury doubles for every 100 C increase in temperature. Employing dubious calculations, Dr. Laidler concludes that because mercury is heavier than the other components of air, if what we saw was actually mercury vapor coming off those teeth, and not just water vapor, it should have been SINKING rather than rising - even at 370 degrees C.” This of course is false, since the mercury in the amalgam is being is heated, causing the mercury molecules to become more active and vaporize. Thus, the mercury vapor rises from the amalgam and spreads into the environment in accordance with Boyles Law of Gases, the Guy-Lussac Law, and Avogadro’s Law and the Law of Entropy. These laws indicate that gas molecules by natural law move away from each other. Therefore, concentrated mercury atoms near the tooth naturally move to a location where less mercury atoms reside. These laws of the behavior of gas have nothing to do with gravity as Dr. Laidler improperly assumes.

In conclusion, Dr. Laidler reports that “ever since (he) saw the video, (he) felt that there was something wrong with it.” Indeed, he is absolutely correct! It is wrong to place materials containing 50% poisonous elemental mercury into humans, while calling them “silver” fillings. It is wrong to promote such materials as safe, when there is no level of mercury exposure considered to be “safe”.

Dental Care Tips

While the following brushing and flossing tips may contain useful general guidelines, you should see a dental hygienist to ensure that you use a technique that is appropriate for you!

Brushing Tips

• Use a soft bristled brush, preferably one with rounded, synthetic bristles. Look for the American Dental Association seal of approval. Replace your toothbrush approximately every two to three months or as soon as the bristles are worn or bent. A worn-out toothbrush does not clean your teeth properly, and may actually injure your gums. You should also replace your toothbrush after you've had a cold.
• Be sure your brush is the right size (in general, smaller is better than larger).
• Place the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the gum line, and slide the tips of the brush under the gums.
• Gently jiggle the bristles or move it in small circles over the tooth and gums.
• Brush the outside, the inside, and the chewing surfaces of your teeth. For chewing surfaces, use a light back and forth motion.
• For the front teeth, brush the inside surfaces of the upper and lower jaws: Tilt your brush vertically and make several strokes up and down with the front part of the brush over the teeth and gum tissues.
• Brushing your tongue will help freshen your breath. Debris and bacteria can collect on your tongue and cause bad breath.
• Since your toothbrush will only clean one or two teeth at a time, change its position to clean each tooth properly.
• Brush at least once every day, preferably at bedtime. Adding a brush time after breakfast increases your chances of thorough daily plaque removal.
• Take your time: A thorough brushing should take at least 3 minutes.
• Don't brush your teeth too vigorously, and don't use a hard bristled toothbrush, since it causes the gums to recede and exposes root surfaces. It also wears down the tooth structure. Both of these conditions can lead to tooth sensitivity.
• A pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste is sufficient.
• Replace your brush when the bristles begin to spread, as a worn out toothbrush will not properly clean your teeth.

Flossing Tips

• Wrap about 18 inches of floss around the middle fingers of your hands.
• Hold the floss tightly, using your thumbs and forefingers, and gently guide it between your teeth. Don't "snap" the floss as this can cut the gums!
• When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel pressure against the tooth.
• Gently scrape the side of the tooth with the floss.
• Repeat this method on all your teeth.
• Move to a clean area of floss after one or two teeth.

What is Dentistry? Overview of Dentistry:

The field of dentistry offers many different career options at a variety of educational and professional levels. Dentists and other dental professionals enjoy career stability and a choice of many career opportunities. Dentistry involves a broad range of professionals, from doctorate level to administrative level people. All of these dental professionals work together to provide oral care and dental health maintenance services from cleanings to more specialized procedures and surgeries. Below is a brief overview of some of the career options in the field of dentistry.

Doctorate Level Careers in Dentistry:

• General Dentist (DDS): A general dentist is similar to the primary care doctor of medicine. The general dentist provides cleanings and general dental health care prevention and maintenance such as teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, cavity fillings, and root canals.
• Cosmetic Dentists: A cosmetic dentist specializes in aesthetic dentistry, intended to approve appearance more than to improve the patient’s health. Cosmetic dentists may also practice general, or primary dentistry in addition to cosmetic dentistry. Some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures are teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding of teeth.
• Orthodontist: An orthodontist specializes in the jaw alignment and positioning of the teeth. Orthodontists utilize a variety of methods and oral appliances to help straighten and realign crooked or misaligned teeth. Braces, retainers, and other devices help correct and straighten patients’ teeth. Orthodontists primarily treat younger patients, while they are growing and the teeth are easier to move, but patients of all ages may consult an orthodontist as well.
• Periodontist: a periodontist is a dentist who specializes in care of the gums and tissue surrounding the teeth.
• Oral Surgeon: An oral surgeon provides surgical care for the teeth, jaws, and facial bones. Patients are typically referred to an oral surgeon by a general dentist or other healthcare professional who may identify the need for oral surgery.

Allied and Mid-Level Careers in Dentistry:

• Dental Assistant: Dental assistants help dentists with a variety of tasks but are not qualified to do full cleanings and identify cavities as are dental hygienists. Dental assistants can obtain training at a technical school with a brief diploma program, or on-the-job.
• Dental Hygienist: Dental hygienists can provide some basic dental care under the supervision of a licensed dentist. More education is required to become a hygienist than an assistant, and therefore hygienists earn about twice as much money as dental assistants.
• Dental Lab Technician: Dental lab technicians play a non-clinical role, meaning they do not work directly with patients. Dental lab techs work in a lab, behind the scenes, manufacturing crowns and other dental prostheses which require custom specifications. Dentists uses molds and x-rays to provide the specifications to the lab for a custom fit.

Administrative Careers in Dentistry:

In addition to the clinical roles above, the field of dentistry also offers a variety of administrative roles, similar to those in medical offices. These include receptionists, appointment schedulers, accounting and billing professionals.

Employers and Practice Environments in the Field of Dentistry:

Since dentists do not have a need to be affiliated with hospitals, the options of practice environments are primarily limited to dental offices. However, there are a variety of employers who need dental professionals such as the military and other government institutions, in addition to private dental practices. Also, there are a lot of dental corporations and franchises that provide a variety of types of dentistry including cosmetic and orthodontic.