Association between Sugar Intake, Oral Health, and the Impact on Overall Health: Raising Public Awareness

Abstract

The role of sugar consumption and oral health refocused largely due to associations between systemic diseases and conditions (type 2 diabetes, obesity) and oral health. This review examines the evidence supporting the impact of sugars on oral diseases and the role of sugars in oral-systemic complications. The increased consumption of dietary sugars, including sugar-sweetened beverages, and the increasing percentage of sugars as a component of the US diet affect oral health in the population. It is important for dental professionals to know public health implications and strategies to effectively communicate this risk to patients’ oral health. Local and state governments experienced success with the regulation of sodas and sugar-sweetened beverages and studies demonstrated that these regulations are largely successful in decreasing consumption among adolescents. It is the role of the dental professional to support these activities to promote healthy dietary choices for patients.