BPA harms dental enamel in young animals, mimicking human tooth defect

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-03/tes-bhd030615.php

Public Release: 6-Mar-2015
The Endocrine Society

A tooth enamel abnormality in children, molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), may result from exposure to the industrial chemical bisphenol A (BPA), authors of a new study conclude after finding similar damage to the dental enamel of rats that received BPA. The study results will be presented Friday at the Endocrine Society's 97th annual meeting in San Diego.

"Human enamel defects may be used as an early marker of exposure to BPA and similar-acting endocrine disruptors," Babajko said.

BPA is an endocrine disruptor, or hormone-altering chemical, that has been linked to numerous adverse health effects in humans. It appears in many plastic and resin household products and food containers, including until recently baby bottles, sippy cups and infant formula packages.

Dental enamel is the hard covering protecting the teeth. MIH causes white or brown opaque spots on an affected child's permanent first molars and incisors (the middle four teeth on the top and bottom), which become sensitive, painful and prone to cavities. Recent published data show that MIH affects up to 18 percent of children ages 6 to 9 years. Although the cause is unclear, it appears to have an environmental origin, according to the study authors.

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