Why video gaming can be injurious to your teeth and gums.
Parents have been complaining for years that their children are stuck in front of a monitor all day playing video games instead of being outside playing sports. As we all know, our health can be improved if we engage in regular physical activity.
Sitting in front of a gaming console or PC monitor for hours on end is certainly not going to improve anyone’s physical health. Things are even worse as a recent study shows. Video gaming and snacking at the same time often leads to weight problems and now the study also suggests that snacking is leading to poor levels of oral health among gaming teenagers.
There is evidence that those who spend a lot of time in front of a games console are twice as likely to suffer from tooth decay than those who prefer sports. This is a topic of grave concern to dental insurance providers who often actively encourage the general public to participate more fully in both physical and dental health activities
The research suggests that teenagers who spend most of their time gaming are more likely to consume foods and snacks with higher levels of sugar. Obesity and possibly diabetes are not the only consequences of this practice; tooth decay is also likely.
Not only youngsters, but many adults are now addicted to their online games and in-home gaming systems. Some people pay no attention to such basic requirements as personal hygiene and oral care because they become too involved with their favourite game. Dr Nigel Carter, Chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said “This study helps our understanding of the dietary habits and subsequent decay risk of gamers when the effects have previously been unknown”. He went on to highlight how important a stable diet was to maintain good oral health.
Gamers are under acid attack
Habitual gamers spend hours in front of the gaming consoles surrounded by bottles of fizzy drinks and bags of snacks on which they are continually snacking. Whilst the gamer is attacking video opponents his teeth are being attacked by the food he is eating.
There is a higher level of sugars and preservatives in snack foods. Sugars can keep teeth under acid attack for up to an hour after consuming the snack. The bacterial attack on the teeth and gums will increase as a result of the reaction between plaque and sugars.
Just as harmful are acidic foods. Sugary foods can be less damaging to teeth and gums than a packet of salt and vinegar crisps. The enamel surface of the teeth becomes less resistant to attack as a result of the acids in the snacks.
The importance of parental rules.
The study focused on teenagers between the ages of 12 and 16. It found that those who avoided snacking whilst playing games or watching TV were less likely to develop tooth decay or gum disease than those who continually snacked.
A 30% reduction in the incidence of major tooth and gum disease was achieved when TV watching snacking children were subject to parental control.
Eating regular meals is far healthier than having several snacking sessions throughout the day, not so much for the food value, although a correct diet is healthier, but because of the amount of sugar and acid that remains in the mouth and is constantly in contact with teeth and gums.
If you want your children to have healthy teeth and gums, regulate what they eat and when they eat it.
Looking after your natural teeth while you still have them can be done only by maintaining a decent diet, a good daily oral hygiene regimen and regular checkups with your dentist. Dental checkups are complete within a half hour and are very inexpensive. You can even get your dental health insurance plan to cover a check-up or oral hygiene visit and really put a smile on your face.
Tags: dental care, dental health, dental insurance, oral hygiene