Snacking in the middle of the night could lead to an increased risk of serious tooth damage and even loss, experts have warned.
A six year study by the University of Copenhagen found that of the participating 2,217 Danes, the 173 who were categorised as nocturnal eaters lost the most teeth, the BBC reports.
Nocturnal eaters were categorised by their pattern of eating more than a quarter of their daily calories after dinner or in the middle of the night, at least twice a week.
No significance could be drawn between the types of food eaten and the findings, instead the researchers believe the drying-up of saliva flow at night is the causative factor.
The British Dental Association’s scientific advisor Professor Damien Walmsley said: “Eating at night, when the mouth is driest and any food remains in the mouth longer, accentuates the impact of consuming sugary and acidic food and drinks.”
He recommended drinking only water in the last hour of the day and ensuring teeth are brushed immediately before bed.
Lack of regular tooth brushing was recently found to increase the risk of suffering from heart disease, according to a report published in the British Medical Journal.