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A new study suggests dietary free sugar is causing dental caries

1 min read Children's dentistry Diet and nutrition
​For many parents, sugar-free alternatives for their children’s snacks are a positive way to manage their child’s oral health and sugar intake.

A new study from the International Association for Dental Research suggests sugar-free might have negative effects on oral health for children.

The study measured in children enrolled in the Barwon Infant Study at age 18-months and 4-years. The exposure, sugar free intake was quantified as continuous and binary variables indicating less than five per cent of total energy intake (TEI) at 18-months and 4-years of age. Through analysis of dental records, the study estimated the effect of the exposure variables on the presence of dental caries at 4-6 years of age, adjusting for potential confounders.

The media outlet Eureka Alert summarised the findings, stating “Of the original birth cohort, dietary data (N=863) and dental caries data (N=368) were available. 70.4 per cent and 36.7 per cent participants consumed less than five per cent TEI from free sugars at 18-months and 4-years, respectively. Dental caries affected 46.7 per cent of children.

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