Introduction Dental caries is one of the major oral health problems in the world affecting infants, children and adults. There are many factors that influence dental caries. Of all these factors, diet plays an important role and within diet, sugar is the major cause of dental caries. Sugars also increase the risk of other health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, etc. Tips to Prevent Dental Caries in Children  Develop healthy dietary habits in children by introducing healthy options early in life.  Don’t add any sugars to baby’s food and drink. Limit the amount and frequency of sugar containing food and drinks.  Choose healthy alternatives such as drinking milk and water instead of sugars-containing drinks.  Encourage children to eat more fruits, vegetables, unsweetened breakfast cereals and grains than junk food.  Avoid the consumption of long-lasting sources of sugars. These stick to teeth and cause tooth decay.

1. 18 STUDENT DIGEST | MUMBAI | AUGUST 2019
Introduction
Dental caries is one of the major oral health problems in the
world affecting infants, children and adults. There are many
factors that influence dental caries. Of all these factors, diet
plays an important role and within diet, sugar is the major
cause of dental caries. Sugars also increase the risk of other
health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, etc.
Early Childhood Caries
Early childhood caries is a serious dental health problem
in infants. Commercial baby foods can increase the risk
of dental cavities and obesity in children. Consumption
of very high level of sugars in commercial baby foods is a
cause of concern. Sugars that are consumed can be readily
metabolized by bacteria involved in dental plaque formation,
generate acid by-products that lead to demineralization of the
tooth structure and, ultimately, dental caries.
Early Childhood Caries & Baby Foods
WorldHealthOrganizationregionaldirectorsaid"Goodnutritionin
infancy and early childhood remains the key to ensuring optimal
child growth and development and to better health outcomes
later in life." According to WHO report, commercial baby foods
often contain too much sugar and are incorrectly advertised as
suitable for infants less than 6 months of age. Early exposure to
excessive sweet products can create potentially harmful effects
in children.
WHO Report
TheWorldHealthOrganizationexaminednearly8,000products
from more than 500 stores in Austria, Bulgaria, Israel and
Hungary between November 2017 and January 2018. As per
the reports, of around 50% of products examined, more than
30% of calories were from total sugars and 33 % of products
contained added sugar or other sweetening agents. Up to 60 %
of inspected food products were labelled as suitable for infants
under six months old, contrary to WHO recommendations that
infants should receive exclusively breast milk for the first six
months of life".
WHO recommends that children between six months and two
years are fed nutrient rich foods prepared at home and naturally
containing sugars, for example fruits and vegetables. The
WHO wants to end the promotion of breast milk substitutes
and ban added sugars and sweeteners in baby foods. Labels
on candies and sweetened beverages including fruit juices and
condensed milk should state the products are not suitable for
children under three.
Tips to Prevent Dental Caries in Children
 Develop healthy dietary habits in children by introducing
healthy options early in life.
 Don’t add any sugars to baby’s food and drink. Limit the
amount and frequency of sugar containing food and
drinks.
 Choose healthy alternatives such as drinking milk and
water instead of sugars-containing drinks.
 Encourage children to eat more fruits, vegetables,
unsweetened breakfast cereals and grains than junk food.
 Avoid the consumption of long-lasting sources of sugars.
These stick to teeth and cause tooth decay.
 Follow dietary guidelines and practice good oral hygiene
habits like brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride
toothpaste.
Research
SUGAR - A major health concern
Dr. Kamala D. N.
Dental Surgeon
Bangalore, Karnataka