By Brooke Strickland
Getting your kids to take care of their teeth can be a challenge. And sometimes, cavities and fillings are inevitable. A recent study published by the journal Pediatrics, found that children ages 6 to 10 that had fillings with BPA-based material had behavioral scores that dropped, as opposed to kids who had cavities that were filled with different materials. (1)
There has been a lot of talk about BPA in recent years and has been banned from baby bottles and kids sippy cups due to the the harmful effects of it. It can also be found in some food packaging, beverage cans, or plastic storage containers. Experts have been concerned that it can have negative effects on brain, behavior, and that it can disrupt hormone levels in the body. It has also been found that it can pose heart problems and recent studies have shown links to obesity, diabetes and ADHD. In all actuality, the amount of exposure to BPA that a child may have with a BPA-based filling is small, but it is important to be aware of the harmful effects and make sure to ask your dentist about it before any procedure is conducted.
Prevention is the real key here, however. Reducing your children’s intake of sugar-filled drinks, snacks, or candies is important. In addition, encourage your kids to brush and floss their teeth regularly, at least twice a day. And especially, make sure your child gets regular dental care. They can start seeing a dentist as early as age one and it’s important to get them established in this routine for overall good oral hygiene. If you make sure that these things are part of your regular routine, the likelihood that your child will need fillings is greatly reduced.
1. Cool Collier, Lisa. “Do Dental Fillings Harm Kids’ Health?” Yahoo Health. February 15, 2013. http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/do-dental-fillings-harm-kids-health Accessed March 9, 2013.