How does late-night snacking cause dental issues?
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Some people find it difficult to resist the urge for midnight snacks especially those who are dieting.
It almost gets easier to convince yourself that you deserve a treat even though the time is odd. But having a late-night snack may not only impact your waistline but also harms your teeth.
Keep reading on to know how.
How does midnight snacking ruin your oral cavity?
It has been proven that late-night snacking causes dental cavities and tooth decay which leads to tooth loss.
What you eat right before bed and how important oral hygiene is to you both have an impact on how severe your tooth decay is.
Particles from the meals and snacks you consume will stay in your mouth. Such particles stick to the tooth surface and get stuck in the spaces between the teeth.
Saliva is essential to wash away food particles. Naturally, during the night, the flow or production of saliva decreases, and this makes the mouth’s pH level out of balance, creating an ideal acidic environment for bacteria to thrive, which leads to a number of dental disorders such as tooth decay, plaque buildup, receding gums, periodontal diseases, etc.
How can you prevent the need for late-night snacks?
To help solve this problem you should first evaluate what causes you to crave food. Once you determine the causes you can simply follow these instructions,
- Eat healthy and balanced meals. If you are still feeling hungry after eating dinner, you should consult a doctor because it is possible that your body is not getting enough nutrition.
- Drink plenty of water. Sometimes your body is confused with thirst and craving.
- Avoid consuming caffeine and fat-rich foods excessively because they can disturb your sleeping pattern and trigger late-night cravings.
- If you want to have something try to eat earlier in the evening then gargle and drink a lot of water to remove all the food particles on your teeth.
- Drink more water for at least an hour before going to bed.
- If you feel hungry during the night, have some fresh fruit before going to bed.
Some researches have shown that aromatherapy using fragrant candles or incense reduces your appetite. Keep yourself busy around the house by doing household tasks, reading a book, or listening to music.
Even though you cannot endure hunger and tend to crave anything what you get at midnight, you should stay far away from certain edibles for your oral well-being. Here are some instances:
- Sticky and sugary foods
- Eating or drinking acidic foods
- Foods loaded with carbohydrates
These small adjustments can have a massive effect on your oral health and make caring for your teeth much easier.
Bottom line
So, when the urge of midnight craving hits you, eat your snack to satisfy your appetite. However, once you are finished, take care of your teeth by giving them good care before sleep.
For any further information visit our clinic. We will evaluate you to give you preventative treatment for your dental health and bring you a brighter smile.
