Medical researchers have found that dental sealants contain compounds that, when mixed with saliva, degrade the mysterious, toxic, chemical BPA imposed by estrogen (bisphenol-a)-creating thorny questions about dentists. Here is a brief guide to research, recommendations and dispute:
How much BPA are we talking about?
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Where does it come from?
Most tooth seals now use chemicals that break down into a BPA when mixed with saliva.
How many children have been exposed to a BPA sealant?
By 40 % of children were treated with sealant from 1999 to 2004 – and this figure has almost certainly increased in the last six years.
So have we poisoned almost half of today’s kids?
Not necessarily. “People are not to be afraid of this,” Says Dr. Burton Edelstein at Columbia Dentistry College, co-author of the study. “The amount of the report is extremely low.” The Fleisch team found that dentists can reduce a child’s exposure, rinse out the mouth of the patient with water or saline and slightly rubbing excessive sealant. Fleisch estimates that the amount of BPA from a sealing process is less than a child gets from plastic bottles and lining canned products.
But BPA is harmful, right?
After a disappointing decade of research, scientists Still not sure how dangerous the BPA is to people. In January, the FDA expressed “Some concern About its possible effects on the brain, behavior and glands of the prostate of embryos, infants and children. “Other studies have found a correlation between short and heart disease levels, but if it is harmful, we are all in trouble: the CDC has discovered measurable amounts of BPA in the urine of 95 % of Americans.
Bottom line: Seal your children’s teeth or not?
Researchers, dentists and even some BPA critics agree that the known risk of dental decomposition is more dangerous than the possible risk of poisoning by BPA. Fleisch’s team recommends that pregnant women postpone to get their teeth sealed until birth when possible but that Everyone else is moving forward “By strict adherence to the techniques of implementing preventive applications.” But not everyone is convinced. “At this point. I have a healthy skepticism for the views of experts on issues like this.” Says Sandy Maple on Blog Parenting Chatter. “Honestly, words like” don’t know “and” probably “don’t create much confidence.”
Sources: US today; CNN; Msnbc; Chatter; Health day; New York Times; Medical news today
