I need to thank my dad for alerting me about this...
While I was on vacation, my local news ran a story about the possibility that small amounts of bisphenol A (BPA) could be present in some types of dental filling material. If you are not familiar with the health concerns surrounding BPA, I suggest you read this overview about BPA written by our Guide to Environmental Issues, Larry West.
Before you cast a gigantic stone at amalgam fillings as the culprit for the potential BPA exposure; hold your horses. According to the report, BPA is found in white dental fillings and dental sealants, but in the eye's of the American Dental Association (ADA), the levels of BPA in dental material is insignificant. The ADA's Council for Scientific Affairs released a statement in July of this year that, long story short, declares that BPA is "rarely used as a formula ingredient in dental products," and according to research, the exposure to BPA via six dental sealants for a male child aged 7 to 14 is "two to five times lower than the estimated daily exposure from food and environmental sources."
As with any issue regarding the safety surrounding the materials used in dental fillings, it is in your best interest to discuss any concerns you may have, with your dentist. However, this topic does pose a valid question, not only to dentists, but to the powerful regulatory agencies that provide citizens with a trusted voice on what is and isn't harmful for us and our children:
Does BPA, regardless of the amount, really belong in dental material?
Dental emergencies can occur at anytime but the fact is, many people have no idea how to handle a dental emergency when one occurs. I was at a slow pitch game last weekend, and watched a girl take a line drive right in the kisser. The result? Her upper upper front tooth was completely knocked out. How was it handled? I hate to say it, but I felt really embarrassed watching how this situation was handled. It was very clear that not one person knew what to do in the case of a dental emergency.
Have you ever witnessed a serious dental emergency occur? Do you know what to do with a tooth that has been knocked out? I have put together a comprehensive guide that explains what you should do in the event that a serious dental emergency occurs.
Learn more about serious dental emergencies by reading:
Randman 76 writes:
Hello All,
I am hoping I could get a little insight on this topic. About two weeks ago I went in for my 2nd root canal. My first root canal was about two years ago on my #18 tooth. Recovery took about a week and didn't have any lasting issues. My 2nd root canal was done on my #31 tooth and I am having some post numbness. Several hours after my root canal the Novocain wore off and I could feel everything. Took some pain killers for a few days to help. Three days later I woke up to some numbness on the right side of my lower lip. Throughout the week the numbness spread to my chin and the lower gums in the general area. I spoke to the oral surgeon and he told me that is perfectly normal and not to worry about it and that the numbness should subside soon As much as I trust my oral surgeon I would still like to get a 2nd opinion on this to put my mind at ease. I appreciate anyone's thoughts on this.
Have you experienced something similar? Visit the Dentistry Forum if you can offer this member some advice, or if you have a question of your own feel free to start your own thread.
I was shocked to learn that 25% of the children in California have never seen a dentist -- or should I say I was a little confused...
The study titled "Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Dental Care for Publicly Insured Children," published in the July issue of the journal Health Affairs, notes that African American and Latino children with various types of insurance, were less likely than Asian American and white children to have visited the dentist in the previous six months -- or even in their entire lifetime. The study examined data from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey. The study contains data on nearly 11,000 children under the age on eleven. Nadereh Pourat, Ph.D., director of research planning at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, stresses that, "The findings suggest that having insurance isn't always enough," adding, "We need to address the other barriers that keep children from getting the help they need."
Alright, you are probably wondering why I am so confused; right? Well, you see, California is one of the few States where new kindergarten students were required by law to have an oral examination prior to attending school. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 1433 in 2006. I am curious to know how the study would differ if UCLA looked at data after 2006? Granted, kindergarten students account for only part of the 11,000 children in the 2005 data, but you would think the number of children that have seen a dentist would be higher in California because of their kindergarten oral health requirement law.
The numbers will undoubtedly change, now that the kindergarten oral health requirement (AB 1433) in California has been designated a Tier 3 program. Funding for Tier 3 programs was reduced, and districts are no longer obligated to participate in Tier 3 programs. Schools are still encouraged to educate students and parents about the importance of regular dental examinations, and collect and submit AB 1433 data but, as far as I understand, it is no longer required by law to have the dental examination. Could this mean that the percentage of children that have never visited the dentist will rise?
