Do you have a “night owl” for a teen? Do you “hit the hay” before your child? If so, new research from the International Journal of Dental Hygiene has found they are four times as likely to suffer from tooth decay than those who go to bed earlier.
Researchers found the link between the “night owl” behavior and failing to brush teeth before bedtime during a study of 196 adolescents aged 15-16 years old who answered a questionnaire about their circadian rhythms, dietary habits, oral hygiene, and demographic variables. They recommend using this data to provide better oral health education planning for adolescents. Parents should be aware of the risks of staying up late, not brushing their teeth before bed and skipping breakfast and reinforce healthy oral health habits with their children and teens.
The resulting, tooth decay is damage that happens bacteria in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth. It can lead to a whole in the tooth, otherwise known as a cavity. If not treated tooth decay can cause pain, infection and tooth loss.
Dr. Nigel Carter, CEO of the dental charity, Oral Health Foundation said, “If you tend to fall asleep before your children, evidence suggests there is a real danger that they are not brushing their teeth regularly, or properly. Combined with the resulting lie-in and subsequently skipping breakfast, this is a real recipe for disaster when it comes to their oral health and a hugely increased risk of developing tooth decay.”
Researchers found the link between the “night owl” behavior and failing to brush teeth before bedtime during a study of 196 adolescents aged 15-16 years old who answered a questionnaire about their circadian rhythms, dietary habits, oral hygiene, and demographic variables. They recommend using this data to provide better oral health education planning for adolescents. Parents should be aware of the risks of staying up late, not brushing their teeth before bed and skipping breakfast and reinforce healthy oral health habits with their children and teens.
The resulting, tooth decay is damage that happens bacteria in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth. It can lead to a whole in the tooth, otherwise known as a cavity. If not treated tooth decay can cause pain, infection and tooth loss.
Dr. Nigel Carter, CEO of the dental charity, Oral Health Foundation said, “If you tend to fall asleep before your children, evidence suggests there is a real danger that they are not brushing their teeth regularly, or properly. Combined with the resulting lie-in and subsequently skipping breakfast, this is a real recipe for disaster when it comes to their oral health and a hugely increased risk of developing tooth decay.”
“Problems in the mouth can affect the way our children communicate, their relationships and their wider general health, so it is vital they prioritise their oral health.”
Call the office of My Plantation Dentist at 954-584-1030 today to schedule your child’s appointment today. We want to partner with you to help educate your family on healthy oral habits!
