Removal of mercury filling while BFing

[MegBusset]

I need root canal treatment which will involve removing an old amalgam filling. My dentist has advised that this could mean me swallowing some mercury which could get into my breastmilk, and that they usually advise waiting until no longer BFing. But I will be BF for hopefully another 6-12m. DS2 is 11mo and feeds 3-4 times a day.

Can anyone advise? I'm not about to stop BF but really don't want to leave my tooth another year, plus if I get it done now it's free!

Well, I would imagine the amount would be extremely small wouldn't it? And of course it wouldn't go directly into the breastmilk would it so personally I'd get it done.

Is removing a filling going to be any more of a risk than getting one? I had a filling the other week and I'm BFing. I refused the numbing injection though just in case. The free year's dental treatment after having a baby would be a bit pointless if you couldn't safely have anything done.

I don't think it applies to any dental work, l39 - it's just that this involves a likelyhood of swallowing mercury.

Info on Kellymom here, OP

Thanks, that Kellymom link seems to suggest it's best avoided. But then I found the BFN advice here which seems to suggest it's fine. My dentist wasn't 100% sure either way but then I think he was a little perplexed to find someone 'still' breastfeeding an 11mo!

l39, having a filling done without anaesthetic, that's braver than childbirth without pain relief imo!