US EPA

1231352 

Journal Article 

Occupational Diseases of Teeth 

Gupta, BN 

1990 

1 

Journal of the Society of Occupational Medicine
ISSN: 0301-0023 

BUTTERWORTH-HEINEMANN LTD 

OXFORD 

NIOSH/00198252 

40 

4 

149-152 

English 

2263081 

WOS:A1990EG84700009 

A review was presented of occupational dental diseases, including some studies of adverse environmental effects on rat teeth. Dental abrasion was a hazard among workers exposed to abrasive dusts. Organic dusts could cause staining of teeth, gingival pigmentation, generalized abrasion, calculus, gingivostomatitis or hemorrhage. Dental caries were widely reported among workers exposed to sugar dust. Staining of teeth could be caused by exposure to dusts of copper (7440508), nickel (7440020), iron (7439896), manganese (7439965), cadmium (7440439) and tin (7440315). Gum discoloration was reported with exposure to dusts of bismuth (7440699), chromium (7440473) salts, lead (7439921) and silver (7440224). Gingival and other oral diseases occurred with exposure to chromium salts, chromic-acid (7738945) or mercury (7439976). Fluorosis of developing teeth was seen with exposure to fluorine (7782414) compounds. There was a report of fluorosis in offspring of female workers exposed to cryolite (15096523) dust. Phosphorus (7723140) poisoning produced osteoporotic and carious alterations. Severe gingivitis was reported with arsenic (7440382) exposure, and arsenic-trioxide (1327533) could cause gingival ulceration. Tooth erosion could result from exposure to citric-acid (77929), tartaric-acid (133379), hydrochloric-acid (7647010), nitric-acid (7697372) and sulfuric-acid (7664939). Dental problems could result from abrasion or occupational injuries. Dental problems were reported among certain musicians, particularly wind instrumentalists. Radiation exposure could cause tooth, jaw and gum problems. Bleeding from gums was reported with high or low atmospheric pressures. Incisors of rats exposed to low pressures for 18 to 24 weeks showed mesenchymal changes that were augmented by concomitant exposure to cold. Superimposed heat counteracted these changes but produced ectodermal changes. Oral hygiene, proper working conditions and inclusion of dental and oral examinations in occupational health services were considered important. 

DCN-193700; Occupational health; Dental disorders; Dental health; Occupational diseases; Dust exposure; Organic dusts; Metal dusts; Fluorine compounds; Physical stress; Laboratory animals; Environmental factors