The Truth About Fillings and Behavior

Popular dental fillings containing chemical BPA (bisphenol A) have been linked to behavioral problems in children.  Fillings made using BPA are becoming more popular because they are teeth-colored, as opposed to the older, silver fillings.  This study looked at 543 children between the ages of 6 and 10 for a period of five year who had either received BPA or silver fillings.  Children with highest exposure to BPA base fillings were more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than those with silver fillings.  Behavior problems seemed especially common in children who had those fillings on chewing surfaces. This seems to support the idea that fillings on chewing surfaces may begin to break down over time and release their chemicals to other parts of the body.  It was unclear whether it was the BPA or other chemicals in these fillings that was the cause of the behavioral change.

In a 2011 related study that looked at BPA exposure from plastics found in some food packaging and canned goods,  tied prenatal exposure to BPA with hyperactivity and anxiety in infants.  This study found it to be especially true in girls. 

It is important not to freak out and have all your child's BPA fillings removed at this point.  All studies indicated that more research needed to be done in this area.  I would recommend choosing silver fillings for any future cavaties that are located on the chewing surface while we wait on future findings.

A Few Words for Parents about the Death of Osama bin Laden

Many emotions were stirred up in the hearts of Americans last night when the death of Osama bin Laden was reported. Most of us remember where we were when the planes hit the twin towers, the pentagon and the field in Pennsylvania. It still brings tears to my eyes when I hear certain songs or see a picture of ground zero. Understand that news of this death may bring us feelings of triumph and joy, but I urge you to curtail any celebration as your children's eyes are watching you. Most of them have only experienced this tragedy as a historical event and can not possible understand the terror that lived, and in many cases still lives, in the hearts of Americans following that fateful day. The media is going to be reliving many of those early moments following this tragedy in the weeks to come and talking about what may happen in response to his death. I recommend that you sit down and watch these stories with your children and talk about your feelings about these events, and then turn off the T.V. Understanding these events and the emotions that they bring up is important, however being bombarded by it 24/7 is not good for you or your children. Sharing with your children that you are somewhat worried that something may happen is okay. Children are pretty intuitive when it comes to their parents and they probably already sense your fear. Trying to hid it from them may cause them more worry than admitting to it. If you are feeling extremely emotional about these events, talking to a trusted adult or a counselor about these feelings before you talk to your children is a good idea.