San Diego Dentist Warns Against the Danger of Endocrine Disruptors
A recent study revealed a cause for alarming concern to parents. According to the study, chemicals commonly found in water bottles and other plastics often used by infants may affect the growth of dental enamel, which in the process irreversibly weakens teeth. Another chemical found in fungicides yields the same damaging results as well. These troubling findings were presented at the 2016 Congress of Endocrinology in Munich, Germany.
Endocrine disruptors and how they affect your child’s dental health
Dr. Katia Jedeon, the study’s lead author, discovered that exposing a child to the chemicals bisphenol A (BPA) and vinclozolin may interfere with hormones that stimulate the growth of dental enamel. These chemicals are categorized as endocrine disruptors, and they can largely be found in normal everyday items. BPA in particular, is used in refillable drink bottles and food storage containers. Vinclozolin on the other hand, is often used as a fungicide in golf courses, orchards, and vineyards.
Dr. Jegeon, along with her colleagues, discovered that children who are most likely to be affected by these disruptors are those who are five years old or younger, as this is the stage when enamel growth is at its most sensitive. Tooth enamel starts to develop from the third pregnancy trimester to age five, so it’s important to minimize if not altogether prevent a child’s exposure to endocrine disruptors during this crucial time.
Minimizing your child’s exposure to endocrine disruptors
Although endocrine disruptors are banned in baby bottles, its widespread use in food packaging and insecticides still pose a significant threat. As parents, it pays to know if the food you serve your children comes with packaging that contain these harmful elements. It can also help if you can continue to tell food manufacturers how you feel, and avoid buying their products completely.
Managing your child’s dental health with the help of a dentist
Taking your child to the dentist at a young age is the best way to prevent dental problems moving forward. Ideally, you should take your child to a dentist in San Diego before his first birthday. Take your child starting at six months old, before his first tooth erupts. In San Diego, trusted dentists in established dental offices such as The Center for Natural Dentistry can help you manage your child’s dental health optimally.
Food packaging chemical causes irreversible damage to children’s teeth, NaturalHealth365.com
When Should My Child First See a Dentist?, KnowYourTeeth.