Bevarage consumption during television viewing and tooth sensitivity in Nigerian adolescents

Abstract

Aim: The study assessed the television (TV) viewing habits, preferred energy and acidic drinks consumed when watching television and the history of tooth sensitivity among adolescents who watched television >2 hours daily (HTV) and <2 hour daily. (LTV).
Subjects and Methods: This is a descriptive study conducted in Ife Central Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State, Nigeria. The targeted respondents were secondary schools adolescents. Out of 13 public schools the LGA, 8 schools were randomly selected. In each School, 50 questionnaires were administered through the school counselors.
Results: 398 questionnaires were analyzed comprising of 52.3% males and 47.7% females. All the participants have access to television. 55.3% participants were the heavy viewers while 44.7% were low. 62% participants had more than one TV at home and 56.3% had access to TV in their bedrooms. HTV predominantly watch TV in the night; watch whatever they want and watch all day if allowed. The HTV have higher variable scores (VS) on all the evaluated drinks except beer. 70% of the participants with history of tooth sensitivity were HTV with a statistically significant difference from LTV with tooth sensitivity. 61.8% of those with tooth cavities were HTV.
Conclusion: HTV were found to have tendencies that enhance increased TV time more than the LTV. They also prevalently consumed high energy and acidic drinks during TV time. History of tooth sensitivity was common among the HTV. Oral health practitioners may need to inquire about long TV time in patients with intractable tooth sensitivity.

Keywords: Drinking habits, television viewing, tooth sensitivity