Why your dental health can be damaged by video gaming.
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. Your overall health can be improved by partaking in physical activity; this is a well-known fact.
Improvement of your physical health is not likely if you spend hours sitting in front of a PC monitor or gaming console. Things are even worse as a recent study shows. According to this study, snacking whilst video gaming can result in weight problems and a deterioration in oral health.
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. This is as likely to lead to tooth decay as it is to obesity and diabetes.
Not only youngsters, but many adults are now addicted to their online games and in-home gaming systems. The obsession with the game can lead some people to ignore such matters as personal hygiene and oral care. 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.
Snack foods are higher in preservatives and sugars. The teeth continue to be attacked by the acid derived from the sugar in the snack for nearly an hour after consumption. The reaction between plaque and sugars will lead to an increase in the amount of bacteria attacking the teeth and gums.
Foods containing acids can do just as much harm. Gums and teeth can suffer more damage as a result of eating a packet of salt and vinegar crisps than by eating sugary foods. The vulnerability to attack of the teeth is increased by the fact that the acids in the snacks soften and weaken the enamel.
Why parental rules are so important.
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.
By watching TV and snacking under parental control the chances of developing serious tooth and gum problems was reduced by 30%.
Avoid snacking, which leaves acid and sugar in the mouth for a long time; instead take regular meals in order to minimize this contact with the teeth and gums.
You can help your children to have healthy teeth and gums by regulating what and when they eat.
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.