Life

Ask the Dentist: Plastic and fungicide may damage enamel in children

Dentist Lucy Stock at Gentle Dental Care in Belfast says compounds found in two everyday substances could effect enamel production

Whether through packaging, storage or transport, it's hard to get away from food being in direct contact with plastic – even tins are line with the stuff
Whether through packaging, storage or transport, it's hard to get away from food being in direct contact with plastic – even tins are line with the stuff Whether through packaging, storage or transport, it's hard to get away from food being in direct contact with plastic – even tins are line with the stuff

EARLY exposure to two chemicals found in food packaging and fungicides may cause irreversible damage to children's teeth, new research suggests.

The study looked at a chemical called BPA (bisphenol A) and a fungicide called vinclozolin. Its suggested that these may weaken a child's tooth enamel, putting them at greater risk of dental decay.

BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics since the 1960s. It is found in containers that store food and drinks, such as water bottles and food cans. Vinclozolin is a fungicide used to protect vineyards, orchards, and golf courses.

Lead study author Dr Katia Jedeon of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research and her colleagues found that exposure to BPA and vinclozolin may block the hormones responsible for the growth of tooth enamel.

This isn't the first time BPA has come under fire for its negative health effects. The chemical has been identified as an endocrine disruptor in many studies, meaning it can interfere with hormone functions, upping the risk for birth defects, reproductive problems and even cancer. Bear in mind that these findings are not conclusive and more research is needed.

"Tooth enamel starts at the third trimester of pregnancy and ends at the age of five, so minimising exposure to endocrine disruptors at this stage in life as a precautionary measure would be one way of reducing the risk of enamel weakening.” Dr Jedeon said.

The first stage of tooth development begins in the foetus at about six weeks of age. What you eat during pregnancy will have an effect on the development of your baby’s teeth.

Although manufacturers are phasing out BPA, recent research suggests it's still in wide use. If you want to avoid it, your best bet might be:

:: Cook at home, cutting out packaging altogether. Look for products labeled as BPA-free.

:: Cut back on cans. Reduce your use of canned foods, since most cans are lined with BPA-containing resin.

:: Avoid heat. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health, advises against microwaving polycarbonate plastics or putting them in the dishwasher, because the plastic may break down over time and allow BPA to leach into foods.

:: Use alternatives. Use glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers for hot foods and liquids instead of plastic containers.