Chemical found in drinking water linked to tooth decay in children

IMAGE: Being exposed to PFAS--a class of chemicals found in drinking water--has been linked to higher rates of cancer, heart disease, thyroid dysfunction and other conditions. WVU School of Dentistry researchers...viewmore Credit: Aira Burkhart/West Virginia University Children with higher concentrations of a certain chemical in their blood are more likely to get cavities, according to a new study byWest Virginia UniversitySchool of Dentistry researchers. Manufactured chemical g roups called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are universal as a result of extensive manufacturing and use. Although manufacturers no longer use PFAS to make nonstick cookware, carpet, cardboard and other products, they persist in the environment. Scientists have linked them to a range of health problems--from heart disease to high cholesterol--but now R. Constance Wiener and Christopher Waters are exploring how they affect dental health. They investigated whether higher concentrations of PFAS were associated with greater tooth decay in children. One of them--perfluorodecanoic acid--was linked to dental cavities. Their findings appear in theJournal of Public Health Dentistry." Due to the strong chemical bonds of PFAS, it is difficult for them to breakdown, which makes them more likely to be persistent within the environment, especially in drinking water systems, " said Waters, who directs the School of Dentistry ' s research labs. " A majority of people may not be aware that t...
Source: Dental Technology Blog - Category: Dentistry Source Type: news