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Review
. 2019 Jan;63(1):17-33.
doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2018.08.003. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Added Sugar and Dental Caries in Children: A Scientific Update and Future Steps

Donald L Chi  1 , JoAnna M Scott  2
Affiliations
Review

Added Sugar and Dental Caries in Children: A Scientific Update and Future Steps

Donald L Chi et al. Dent Clin North Am. 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Excess added sugars, particularly in the form of sugar-sweetened beverages, is a leading cause of tooth decay in US children. Although added sugar intake is rooted in behavioral and social factors, few evidence-based, theory-driven socio-behavioral strategies are currently available to address added sugar intake. Dental health professionals are in a position to help identify and address problematic sugar-related behaviors in pediatric patients and advocate for broader upstream approaches, including taxes, warning labels, and policy changes, that can help reduce added sugar intake, prevent tooth decay, and improve health outcomes in vulnerable child populations.

Keywords: Added sugars; Behavioral determinants of health; Children; Dental caries; Evidence-based dentistry; Pediatric dentistry; Social determinants of health; Sugar-sweetened beverages.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Plot of Mean Daily Added Sugar Intake and Tooth Decay for U.S. Children Ages 18 Years and Younger (N=3,441). Plot not adjusted for potential outliers. Data from National Center for Health Statistics. 2011-2012 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for participants ages 18 years and younger with added sugar and caries data. Available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/ContinuousNhanes/Default.aspx?BeginYear=2011
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Mean Daily Added Sugar Intake by Age Group for U.S. Children Ages 18 Years and Younger (N=3,441). Data from National Center for Health Statistics. 2011-2012 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for participants ages 18 years and younger with added sugar and caries data. Available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/ContinuousNhanes/Default.aspx?BeginYear=2011
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Mean Daily Added Sugar Intake by Race and Ethnicity for U.S. Children Under Ages 18 Years and Younger (N=3,441). NH = Non-Hispanic. Data from National Center for Health Statistics. 2011-2012 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for participants ages 18 years and younger with added sugar and caries data. Available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/ContinuousNhanes/Default.aspx?BeginYear=2011
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Mean Daily Added Sugar Intake by Income Category for U.S. Children Under Ages 18 Years and Younger (N=3,441). Income categories calculated as poverty to household income ratio. Data from National Center for Health Statistics. 2011-2012 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for participants ages 18 years and younger with added sugar and caries data. Available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/ContinuousNhanes/Default.aspx?BeginYear=2011
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