Toxic Nation | Pollution. It's In You.

When you go to your dentist for a filling, a syrupy substance will be inserted into the crevices of your molars. This coating will harden and will prevent bacteria from decaying your teeth. There is evidence that dental sealants provide a great deal of protection against cavities, along with regular brushing and good dental hygiene.

How does this relate to bisphenol A (BPA)? Well, there are a number of dental sealants that contain BPA. Tests have shown that BPA can leach out of the sealants for the first several hours after application, and this, the Canadian Dental Association argues, is not enough evidence to stop using BPA. A review of dental sealants by Health Canada recently shows that patients are not at risk of exposure to harmful levels of BPA.

But your dentist can carry a number of sealants that do not contain BPA. Products such as Helioseal from Ivoclar Vivadent; Seal-Rite from the Pulpdent Corporation, and Conseal f from SDI ( North America) have been shown to be BPA-free.

So while Health Canada has not recommended any restrictions on the use of BPA in dental sealants, the ministry has identified BPA as toxic to human health, and a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. found detectable levels of BPA in 93% of urine samples collected from more than 2,500 adults and children over 6. We need to take precaution when using BPA products. Next time you’re getting your teeth filled ask your dentist what type of sealant they are using and whether or not it was tested for BPA.

You deserve to know.