Watching Television Is Associated With An Increased Level Of Dental Caries In Children. Why?

Children who watch TV for more than 90 minutes a day without interruption tend to eat larger amounts of confectionery and suffer from dental caries. The conclusions are based on recent research and studies. 

The study found that the younger generation consumes three times more sugar foods and beverages (33%) and, accordingly, their caries increases (39%). The study was conducted while staying in front of the TV for more than an hour and a half without interruption. 

In times of pandemic and the need to stay at home for a long time, the TV is a variety in the daily life of not only children but also their parents. And we know that children absorb the actions and behavior of their parents, so let's think about that.

There is a direct link between prolonged television viewing in young children and the development of dental caries. TV shows and children's movies captivate children. In turn, this leads to excessive consumption of sweets, sugary foods, chips, corn sticks, salads and all the other much-loved foods of children and adults. However, frequent consumption of these foods and acidic beverages results in an unacceptable increase in the level of caries on the teeth. 

Sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. This is the sugar contained in sugar cane and sugar beet. Sucrose is the most common dietary sugar. Its consumption in all countries is extremely high. It is cheap, easy to produce and high in calories. 

Sucrose is also found in potatoes, rice, wheat. It is part of many culinary foods and beverages. It is used as a sweetener, bulk mass, preservative, moisturizer, consistency corrector.

There is strong evidence that the amount and frequency of foods consumed containing sucrose are the most important cause of tooth decay. It increases the acidity in the mouth up to 200 times. 

Carious lesions increase in proportion to the addition of sugar in the diet. When sugar is taken during the main meal, whether it is food or drink, caries does not increase significantly. The problem comes in the frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks between meals. Eating chocolate four times a day significantly increases tooth decay, but the strongest increase is in those who receive caramel and candy between 22-30 times a day between meals.

With each consumption of sugar or acidic food or drink, the pH level in the oral cavity decreases. Keeping the pH in the oral cavity low leads to demineralization of the teeth . Demineralization, in turn, is the cause of the destruction of the enamel part of the teeth, as well as an increase in the microbial count, the cause of the development of dental caries.

Sucrose is defined as "criminal sugar" because it is metabolized by cariogenic microorganisms to acids. It also synthesizes extra- and intracellular polysaccharides, which play a major role in the formation, enlargement and self-maintenance of dental plaque.

How to reduce the time spent in front of the TV and protect children's teeth from caries?

Here are some tips:

• Invent fun and creative games for children, make them unleash their imagination and create beautiful creations together;
• Divide meals into three main ones;
• Do not allow intermediate carbohydrate intake;
• Do not consume carbonated and sweetened beverages - if taken, be at once, not in slow sips;
• Do not eat sweets and candies with added sugars;
• Do not consume carbohydrates and juices before bedtime;
• Carbohydrates with added sugar should be allowed once a week for dessert;
• Do not eat hard candy, sugar sticks or lollipops;
• Any intake of carbohydrates, if not finished with cleaning with a brush or paste, end with chewing sugar-free gum, drinking water or rinsing the mouth.