Office Workers Most At Risk of Poor Oral Health

Office workers who graze on snacks while working are more likely to have poor oral health, according to a recent survey of dentists and dental hygienists in the UK.

Nearly half of the 175 dental professionals surveyed online believe that people who frequently snack are more likely to have dental problems compared to those who take three complete meals per day. Office workers are often guilty of taking small frequent meals, which means the pH in their mouths is unable to stabilise back to neutral. A low pH creates an acidic environment in the mouth that is perfect for growth of plaque bacteria and which erodes the tooth enamel. Acid erosion often causes an irreversible loss of enamel, sometimes resulting in tooth sensitivity and severe tooth wear. Localised erosion can lead to the development of cavities.

The report also made mention of the fact that more than 20% of the office-based employees surveyed stated that they regularly skip brushing their teeth as they rush to the office, and when they do brush, 88% reported that it was generally for less than the recommended 2 minutes.