Chalk teeth in children Harmful chemical in plastic could be the cause

Bisphenol A in plastic could be the cause of hypersensitive chalk teeth

More and more children and adolescents in Germany suffer from hypersensitive chalk teeth. Some scientists believe that the major cause of the new widespread disease is the widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic. Consumer advocates are now calling for a ban on the harmful chemical in packaging and tableware.

When brushing your teeth hurts

Health experts repeatedly point out how important regular brushing is. Because proper oral hygiene can not only prevent gingivitis, toothache and unpleasant bad breath, but also caries efficiently. For people who suffer from so-called "chalk teeth", however, brushing their teeth is usually painful, as their teeth are hypersensitive. Scientists disagree on why dental disease is spreading faster and faster.

More and more children and adolescents suffer from chalk teeth. It is believed that the widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics is a major cause of the new widespread disease. (Image: SergeyCash / fotolia.com)

Hypersensitive teeth

More and more children and adolescents in Germany suffer from chalk teeth, among the 12-year-olds it is more than 30 percent, reports the consumer center Schleswig-Holstein in a statement.

This developmental disorder is associated with enormous risks to dental health.

It makes the enamel porous, making the teeth hypersensitive and prone to tooth decay.

Those affected have pain in eating and at worst lose their teeth.

Some scientists suspect the main cause of the new widespread disease in the widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic, others doubt this.

Healthy development of tooth enamel is disturbed

The development of enamel begins with unborn children and lasts until about the age of five.

Scientists from the US reported in a study that they found evidence that BPA interferes with the healthy development of enamel in infancy and is involved in the formation of crayfish teeth.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has evaluated this study and doubts the connection.

In the title of the communication, the BfR writes:

"Connection between 'crayon teeth' in children (Molar incisor hypomineralization, MIH) and the uptake of bisphenol A is unlikely according to the current state of knowledge".

Consumer advocates call for BPA ban

The final scientific evidence for a connection between BPA and chalk teeth is still pending.

Nevertheless, the Consumer Center considers a precautionary ban on BPA to be necessary. The chemical affects the hormone balance and is suspected of harming health.

"This substance can be contained in packaging, dishes or canned food cans", explains Gudrun Köster, Food and Nutrition Expert at Consumer Advice.

"This is how BPA can pass into food and thus into the body."

Avoid harmful chemicals

So far, BPA is banned in Europe only in baby bottles, from 2020 it should also be banned for the coating of thermal paper.

As an internal coating in canned or beverage cans, the chemical is still often used, even in microwave dishes made of plastic, it may occur.

As the Consumer Center explains, the recycling code 7 and the abbreviation PC (polycarbonate) may indicate BPA, there is no labeling requirement.

If you want to avoid BPA, you can better access preserves in the glass and use dishes made of porcelain or other ceramics.

According to the experts, alternatives to BPA are also not harmless, but less well studied.

The Consumer Center therefore demands that chemicals may only be used in food packaging and dishes if toxicological studies classify them as harmless. (Ad)