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Just when many of us are getting those old mercury fillings in our teeth replaced with the new plastic fillers we've been told are safer, we find that newer may not be better. BPA (bisphenol A) lurks not only in plastic water bottles, and the lining of canned foods, drinks and baby formula containers, it also can be found in some of the plastics dentists are now using.on our teeth. Studies have found BPA in the saliva of patients after they receive a filling or sealant treatment. This chemical, a hormone disruptor that can mimic estrogen and has been linked to early puberty in girls, breast and prostate cancer and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, may also be present in the plastic used to make night guards for those who grind their teeth.

But whether the levels of BPA that leach out of the plastic pose any significant health risk is harder to answer.

Both the American Dental Association and Health Canada say "Don’t worry." They have issued statements saying that the levels of BPA in dental plastics are not hazardous to health.

In Canada, the federal government has just banned the use of BPA in plastic baby bottles. But so far they have not banned its use in dental plastics, even though the Canadian Dental Association has advised members to start searching for BPA-free dental materials.

Pregnant Women and Babies Are at the Highest Risk

The one thing everyone agrees upon is that fetuses and infants are at the highest risk from BPA exposure. So if you are pregnant, it is wise to consult your dentist and physician about whether to go ahead with dental procedures that involve these plastics.

But even more important, if you can’t do without that night guard or need to take care of cavities while pregnant, at least make sure you minimize any additional exposure to BPA. The ADA says the BPA in other products poses greater hazards than dental products.

Avoid re-using water bottles, avoid Nalgene bottles (hard, colorful plastic bottles marked No. 7 on the bottom) and canned foods that have white plastic liners – especially canned pastas and soups. And use BPA-free products (especially infant formula and baby bottles and sippy cups) for your baby as well.

For more on how to avoid the dangers of BPA for yourself and your family:

BPA: Plastic Products that Are BPA-Free

Your BPA questions, answered

BPA: The Dangers of Canned Foods May Be Greater Than Plastics

BPA: 5 Tips to Avoid the Dangers in Plastics

Where To Find Baby Bottles Without BPA -- and Formula and Pacifiers, Too

Where to Find BPA-Free Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups