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Professor Byun Hee-seok at Seongbuk Woori Children's Hospital. / Woori Children's Medical Foundation

With an increasing number of children using electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, concerns are being raised that the habit of snacking while looking at screens for long periods can elevate the risk of tooth decay. The issue does not stem from smartphones themselves, but rather from the prolonged exposure of teeth to sugar as children graze on snacks over extended periods while focused on video content.

According to the Woori Children's Medical Foundation on the 1st, when children eat snacks while watching videos on smartphones or tablets, the duration of consumption is likely to stretch out. In particular, repeated habits of grazing on cookies, candies, and beverages in small amounts rather than consuming them in one sitting prolong the time teeth are exposed to sugar.

Tooth decay occurs when acid, produced by bacteria breaking down residual sugars in the mouth, erodes the tooth surface. For this reason, not only the quantity of snacks but also how frequently and how long sugars are consumed influences the development of cavities.

The core issue is that longer screen times can lead to extended periods of snacking. Repeatedly nibbling on snacks or candies while watching videos prolongs the time the mouth remains in an acidic state and reduces the window for teeth to remineralize and recover.

Electronic device usage can also affect brushing habits. When engrossed in videos or games, children can easily miss scheduled brushing times or postpone brushing after eating. The longer brushing is delayed, the longer residual sugars and acids remain unremoved on the teeth.

Ultimately, preventing cavities hinges less on smartphone usage itself and more on curbing the habit of prolonged snacking while looking at screens. It is necessary to manage lifestyle habits together, such as setting designated snacking times and ensuring teeth are brushed after eating.

Professor Byun Hee-seok of Seongbuk Woori Children's Hospital stated, "While smartphones do not directly cause cavities, longer usage can increase the frequency of snacking and make brushing habits irregular." He added, "In particular, the habit of snacking for extended periods while watching videos creates an environment where teeth are continuously exposed to sugar, thereby raising the risk of tooth decay."

                                                                                                           Kang Hye-won