Gamers More Likely to Encounter Decay - May Need Dental Discount Plan

By Susan Braden
Published Aug 25 2010

Sitting in front of a screen playing video games could take its toll on your child’s teeth, according to a study by The University of Iowa, and may create greater need for family dental discount plans. Most children who lounge at the TV or computer for hours at a time consume sugary or acidic snacks in the process. The study focused on kids age 12-16.

Snacking Habits

Sugary snacks and sodas contribute heavily to the rising percentage of tooth decay in American teenagers, and those who spend several hours a day with a controller in their hands are twice as likely to develop oral health problems. Teens are much more likely to mindlessly consume snacks if they are absorbed in onscreen action, the study found.

Each instance of this results in approximately an hour of acid attacks on the tooth enamel, which could lead to cavities and gum disease. The sugar reacts with bacteria already present in the mouth, producing the harmful acidic reactions. Tooth decay affects between 60 to 90% of teenagers and adults, according to the World Health Organization.

Parental Guidance

Gaming does not have to automatically result in oral health problems. The study also found that teenagers who operate under a set of parental rules regarding both diet and time in front of the screen were much less likely to consume those harmful foods to begin with. Teens with good oral hygiene habits at home are far more likely to carry those habits into adulthood. Don't discount proper brushing technique, which can make a great difference in maintaining healthy teeth.

If snacking is still an issue for your kids, you may want to consider replacing their sugary snacks with some that won’t attack those pearly whites. These could include:

• Fruit like bananas, apples, peaches or strawberries
• Dairy products like yogurt, milk or cottage cheese
• Whole-grain crackers

Thoroughly brushing and flossing the teeth on a regular schedule can help eliminate the negative effects of snacking as well. Regular dentist visits for exams and cleanings and obtaining a dental discount plan to keep coverage affordable will help ensure that decay doesn’t slip into your kid's mouths unnoticed.