New research suggests that the use of local anesthetic may adversely impact the development of children's teeth, NDTV reported.

Researchers from the University of Plymouth found that local anesthetics commonly used in clinics can interfere with the production of tooth cells. Local anesthetic is frequently used in dental treatments, more than any other clinical area.

"Our study has shown for the first time the evidence that local anesthetic may affect the development of children's teeth in cellular and molecular levels," Bing Hu, lead researcher of the study, said in a statement.

For the study, researchers conducted an experiment using pig teeth and human young permanent tooth pulp cells. They found that local anesthetics commonly used in clinics can affect the proliferation of tooth cells.  

The study found that the "longer duration of exposure to high concentrations of local anesthetic was most harmful because it interferes with the function of mitochondria, the 'batteries' of the cell, and induce a cell death mechanism named 'autophagy,' NDTV reported.

"Our findings emphasize the need for parents to help their children to avoid the need for dental surgery, such as tooth extractions, in the first place by paying attention to diet and good oral hygiene, and regular visits to the dentist," Hu said.

The findings are detailed in the journal Cell Death Discovery.