Studies show that, over the past 50 years, sugar consumption here in the UK has tripled, and that number is expected to increase dramatically in the next 5 years alone. This overconsumption of sugar, combined with a lack of proper dental care, has made dental caries one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. This major l public health problem is affecting individuals, health systems and economies around the world.
World Health Organization Recommendations
The World Health Organization recommends that ‘the daily intake of free sugars be limited to less than 10%, or 50 g, of total energy intake in both adults and children.’ By reducing that number to below 5%, or 25, of total energy intake, we would see many additional health benefits and we could help minimise the risk of dental caries throughout life.
10 interesting statistics about sugar consumption here in the UK and around the world:
- Free sugars intake of above 60 g per person per day significantly increases the rate of dental caries in both teenagers and adults.
- For pre-school and young children, free sugars intake should be proportional to that of teenagers, which is about 30 g per person, per day, according to the World Health Organization.
- Consuming free sugars more than four times a day can increase your risk of dental caries.
- According to the World Health Organization, 65 countries around the world consume more than 100 g of sugars per person per day.
- Sugars and acids in sugary drinks weaken tooth enamel and can cause dental caries.
- Consuming one can (355 mL) of a sugary drink per day can lead to a 6.5 kg weight gain in one year.
- Drinking sugary drinks regularly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 22%.
- Sugars are the most important dietary cause of dental caries in UK children.
- Dental caries is entirely preventable.
- Dental caries is the fourth most expensive oral disease to treat and consumes 5–10% of healthcare budgets in industrialised countries.
Contact Dentac
To learn more about why proper dental training and care are needed here in the UK, contact Dentac today and speak with a knowledgeable dental academy representative who can assist you and answer any questions you might have.
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