Mid Night Snacks May Spoil Your Smile

Wellness

oi-Suparna Chakaraborthy

By Suparna Chakaraborthy

Wednesday, June 2, 2010, 13:56

Mid Night snacking is hazardous for your tooth, says experts at Copenhagen University. They claim that eating snacks in the middle of the night can increase the risk of tooth loss, regardless of the type of food that is eaten.

The researches blame the changes in saliva flow, as the mouth tends to dry up at night.This encourages mid night snacking.

The danger is mostly with Nocturnal eaters. These are people who consume 8% or more of their calorie in the night after dinner. They might walk out of bed in the night and grab something.

To reach the conclusion, boffins examined the medical records of 2,217 Danes already enrolled in a medical study.

"Practitioners should be aware of the oral health implications of nocturnal eating, increase screening and oral health education efforts among nocturnal eaters and make treatment referrals when appropriate," sya experts at Copenhagen.

Professor Damien Walmsley, says, "Eating at night, when the mouth is driest and any food remains in the mouth longer, accentuates the impact of consuming sugary and acidic food and drinks. To minimize damage, it is important to brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, with one of those brushes coming immediately before bedtime. Where possible, consume only water for at least an hour before the final brush of the day."

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.