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Odontologic survey of referred patients with symptoms allegedly caused by electricity or visual display units.

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Bergdahl J, Tillberg A, Stenman E. · 1998

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Patients reporting electrical sensitivity showed measurable dental and oral health problems that may contribute to their symptoms.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Swedish researchers examined 28 patients who reported health symptoms they believed were caused by electricity or computer screens (visual display units). The study found these patients had various dental and oral health problems, including jaw dysfunction, mouth burning, and reduced saliva production. While the study couldn't prove electricity caused these symptoms, it suggests that dental health issues might contribute to the suffering experienced by people who report electrical sensitivity.

Why This Matters

This study highlights an important aspect often overlooked in EMF health research: the potential connection between electromagnetic exposures and oral health. While the researchers couldn't establish a direct causal link between electrical exposures and the reported symptoms, they documented real physical findings in patients reporting electrical sensitivity, including temporomandibular joint dysfunction and reduced salivary gland function. The reality is that people experiencing what they attribute to EMF exposure often have multiple health issues that may interact in complex ways. What this means for you is that if you're experiencing symptoms you suspect are EMF-related, a comprehensive health evaluation including dental assessment might be worthwhile, as addressing underlying oral health issues could potentially reduce overall symptom burden.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

The aim of this study is to investigate Odontologic survey of referred patients with symptoms allegedly caused by electricity or visual display units

Twenty-eight consecutive patients with symptoms allegedly caused by electricity or visual display un...

The most common oral and general symptoms reported were burning mouth, craniomandibular dysfunction ...

The present study showed that various odontologic factors might be involved in some of these patients' suffering. Thus, it is important that professionals from other disciplines collaborate with dentistry if these patients are to be properly investigated.

Cite This Study
Bergdahl J, Tillberg A, Stenman E. (1998). Odontologic survey of referred patients with symptoms allegedly caused by electricity or visual display units. Acta Odontol Scand. 56(5):303-307, 1998.
Show BibTeX
@article{j_1998_odontologic_survey_of_referred_1903,
  author = {Bergdahl J and Tillberg A and Stenman E.},
  title = {Odontologic survey of referred patients with symptoms allegedly caused by electricity or visual display units.},
  year = {1998},
  doi = {10.1080/000163598428491},
  url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/000163598428491},
}
DOI: 10.1080/000163598428491

Cited By (16 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Swedish researchers found that 28 patients reporting electrical sensitivity had various oral health problems, including burning mouth syndrome. However, the study couldn't prove computer screens directly caused these symptoms, suggesting dental issues might contribute to the discomfort instead.
A 1998 study found people reporting electrical sensitivity had high rates of jaw dysfunction, mouth burning, and reduced saliva production. The research suggests dental problems might be involved in their suffering, though it couldn't confirm EMF exposure caused these issues.
Research shows patients claiming electrical sensitivity frequently experienced jaw dysfunction and muscle problems. The study found temporomandibular joint disorders were among the most common dental issues, though researchers couldn't establish whether electricity actually caused these conditions.
Swedish researchers found 43% of patients reporting symptoms from visual display units had reduced saliva production from minor mucous glands. However, the study couldn't prove VDU screens directly caused dry mouth, suggesting other factors might be involved.
The study found a positive correlation between mercury levels and both the number of amalgam fillings and jaw disorders in electrical sensitivity patients. However, all patients had mercury levels well below safety limits, averaging 8.5 nmol per liter.