NO, YOU’RE NOT THE ONLY ONE who enjoys sneaking a late-night snack. We know how it is. Some things just taste better after bedtime, right? But did you know that late-night snacking can actually have a negative impact on teeth? A 2010 Denmark study found correlations between late-night snacking and tooth loss. From a research group of over 2,000 adults, 8% were classified as “nocturnal eaters”. Over a six-year period, members of this group were found to have a greatly increased risk of tooth loss.
Ever Wonder Why We Brush Before Bedtime?
Traditionally, before bed is a good time to get kids in the habit of oral health regimes. There’s good reason for that. During the night, saliva production slows down. Saliva is pivotal in keeping your mouth clean—washing away leftover food and reinforcing tooth enamel. It’s like your mouth’s police force. A mouth minus saliva’s full effects—combined with teeth that aren’t clean—leaves bacteria and plaque to better wreak havoc throughout the night. There’s another reason too. When we have midnight snacks, what do they typically consist of? Carrot and celery sticks? Probably not. They usually end up being something like leftover birthday cake or cold pizza! Sugars and starches are some of the worst culprits when it comes to tooth decay causes. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F26uSvEL80I&version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0]
What To Do About It
Here’s advice from our practice for facing late-night eating temptation for both kids and adults:
- If you have a snack, rinse or brush your teeth afterward.
- Try not to eat or drink anything but water during the hour prior to going to bed.
- When snacking fever strikes, opt for healthier foods.
And if you think you (or your child) have habits that are putting oral health at risk, contact us and we’ll visit. You can also send us a direct message on Facebook, or comment below if you have thoughts or questions.
