New article links between screen time, sleep and oral health

Dental Tribune International

Fri. 9. October 2026

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NAGPUR, India: For children and adolescents, previous research has linked spending more time on smartphones and other screens with poorer oral health, including a higher prevalence of caries. In a new article discussing current evidence and future research directions, researchers in India have argued that screen use, sleep disturbances and caries may be interconnected through behavioural and biological pathways. They also pointed to an emerging consideration in preventive care—digital wellness.

Studies discussed in the article found associations between longer screen exposure and higher caries measures, greater plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation. One of these, a 2026 cross-sectional study of adolescents in Turkey, also found an association between longer daily screen time and more frequent consumption of cariogenic foods and less frequent brushing.

The researchers thus suggested that one possible explanation for an association between screen time and caries is behavioural: prolonged screen use may coincide with more frequent consumption of sugary snacks and drinks, less structured eating and poorer oral hygiene routines. They also noted that evening screen use has been associated with delayed bedtimes, potentially reducing the opportunity for regular brushing before sleep. However, they cautioned that associations between screen use and oral health may also be influenced by factors such as socio-economic circumstances, parental supervision and physical activity.

The authors suggested that sleep may be another part of the picture. They discussed evidence associating insufficient or irregular sleep with caries. Although the biological mechanisms remain incompletely understood, the researchers pointed to changes in salivary secretion, composition and buffering capacity, appetite regulation and immune function as possible pathways. They noted that tiredness may make regular brushing less likely. The article also proposed that the relationship may be bidirectional because dental pain and discomfort may themselves interfere with sleep.

Rather than considering screen time, sleep and oral health in isolation, the authors argued for a more integrated approach to adolescent oral health. As digital technology has become part of adolescent life, they proposed incorporating digital wellness and sleep hygiene alongside established preventive measures.

The article, titled “Screen time, sleep disturbances, and dental caries in adolescents and young children: An emerging public health concern”, was published online on 16 September 2026 in Frontiers in Oral Health.