Now games are blamed for bad teeth

Ahead of the inevitable ‘games give you cancer’ headlines that are surely just around the corner, the latest ill pinned on video games is the accusation that they can give you bad teeth.

Specifically, Kotaku reports that a study by the University of Iowa has linked playing games regularly to poor oral health”. Apparently the dietary habits of heavy gamers are conducive to accelerated tooth decay. Excessive TV watching has been fingered for the same reasons.

The study also found that kids whose gaming time is more strictly structured by parents are less likely to suffer oral problems, most likely due to the provision of regular meals.

Earlier this week the World Health Organisation said video games were a significant factor in the rise of childhood obesity.