Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound that is used to make up resins and plastics. For example, bisphenol A is used in bottles, inside drink cans, and inside food tins. Research has shown that bisphenol A has been found in human blood and urine hence indicting that it has been ingested. Other research has shown that bisphenol A has adverse effects on the development and reproduction of lab animals. Bisphenol A has already been banned from being used in the manufacturing process of baby bottles in Europe.
A recent study set out to determine if teeth of rats when treated with low daily doses of bisphenol A are damaged. The researchers showed that the teeth of rats treated with low daily doses of bisphenol A are in fact damaged and that the characteristics present are similar to what has been found in a new pathology of tooth enamel in a small percentage of children between 6 and 8.
Specifically the researchers showed that the teeth showed numerous characteristics that are common with a tooth enamel pathology known as Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation which selectively affects permanent incisors and first molars. Children who have this pathology present with teeth that are susceptible to cavities and are hypersensitive to pain.
The researchers compared the white marks that appeared on the incisors of rats treated with bisphenol A to the characteristics of human teeth suffering from Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation. Macroscopic observation of marks on both series of teeth showed that they were both fragile and had brittle enamel. Microscope observation of the enamel of teeth in both series showed a significant reduction of the Ca/P and the Ca/C ratios. This reduction leads to mineral depletion which makes teeth more susceptible to cavities.
The researchers believe that teeth could be used as early markers of exposure to bisphenol A and could be beneficial in prevent more serious pathologies from occurring.
Source: Katia Jedeon, Muriel De la Dure-Molla, Steven J. Brookes, Sophia Loiodice, Clémence Marciano, Jennifer Kirkham, Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier, Sofiane Boudalia, Raymond Bergès, Hidemitsu Harada, Ariane Berdal, Sylvie Babajko. Enamel Defects Reflect Perinatal Exposure to Bisphenol A. The American Journal of Pathology, 2013;