There is a definite trend in the United States to eat healthy, lose weight, and to become physically fit. However, the fact is that obesity is on the rise, and kids today are heavier than yesterday’s children. It is also a fact that overweight children have a higher risk of dental caries (cavities) than normal weight kids. There are several reasons why this is but I would like to share a few insights as to how poor eating habits and obesity affect dental development and dental health.
A study done at the Arizona School of Dentistry found that dental development was accelerated by an increased body mass index ( BMI) which means that children who are overweight and obese grow faster than children with normal weight . This is an important fact in orthodontic treatment where timing is very important. The consequences of placing orthodontic appliances (braces or invisalign retainers) late can result in expensive and complex treatment.
In today’s world the average American man carries an extra 17 pounds while the average female carries an extra 15 pounds. If this trend continues 103 million (43%) American adults will be considered obese by 2018. Many of these overweight Americans will have a difficult time managing the weight of their own children which will drastically affect the cost of health care in the United States in the near future.
What are the causes of these terrible trends in weight gain? Sitting in front of television or video games and eating sugary snacks is one of the leading culprits. It is known that when children watch a lot of TV they snack on foods that are high in sugar and fat. This increases the risk of weight gain and tooth decay. While a normal meal may take ten to 20 minutes to consume, snacking in front of a TV may go on for a much longer time, increasing the time food is in contact with the teeth. Snacks that are high in sugar, carbohydrates and starch (potato chips) fuel the bacteria that eat away tooth enamel resulting in destructive cavities.
While schools have decreased physical education they have also added vending machines that dispense soda and junk foods to students. According to an article from the American Dental Association public schools have come to depend on contracts (known as pouring rights contracts) with food and beverage distributors to fund educational costs. Carbonated soft drinks loaded with sugar are consumed more than ever by children and teens. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that long term use of sugary beverages is associated with higher rates of tooth decay, obesity, and obesity related diseases in children and young adults.
Life style changes have led to major changes in our lives and health. For instance, many parents will not allow children to play outside without supervision due to safety concerns. Along with TV and video games this has created sedentary lifestyles. The World Health Organization claims that only 25% of boys and 15% of girls get enough exercise. While it is easy to blame video games, TV, budget cuts in physical education, sugary beverages, and junk foods on obesity and poor dental health. It is up to parents to direct their own children to eat the right foods and exercise daily.
