Sweet drinks need tooth decay warning - dental expert
Researchers from the University
of Adelaide say any health warnings about soft drinks should include the risk
of tooth decay, following a new study that looks at the consumption of
sweet drinks and fluoridated water by Australian children.
"There is growing scrutiny on sweet drinks, especially soft drinks, because of a range of detrimental health effects on adults and children," Dr Jason Armfield, from the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health at the University of Adelaide's School of Dentistry, said.
"Tooth decay carries with it
significant physical, social and health implications, and we believe the risk
of tooth decay should be included in any warnings relating to sweet
drinks."
Dr Armfield is the lead author of a new study published this month in the American Journal of Public Health, which looks at the consumption of sweet drinks and fluoridated water by more than 16,800 Australian children.
The study found that:
Earlier this month, the Cancer Council joined forces with Diabetes Australia and the National Heart Foundation of Australia in a campaign to tackle soft drink over-consumption which it says is a key contributor to obesity in Australia. ADAVB enthusiastically supports the initiative.
Meanwhile the California Centre for Public Health Advocacy has prepared a list of seven things that the soft drink manufacturers could do to drive meaningful change and still allow companies to maintain profitability.
"There is growing scrutiny on sweet drinks, especially soft drinks, because of a range of detrimental health effects on adults and children," Dr Jason Armfield, from the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health at the University of Adelaide's School of Dentistry, said.
"Tooth decay carries with it
significant physical, social and health implications, and we believe the risk
of tooth decay should be included in any warnings relating to sweet
drinks." Dr Armfield is the lead author of a new study published this month in the American Journal of Public Health, which looks at the consumption of sweet drinks and fluoridated water by more than 16,800 Australian children.
The study found that:
- 56% of Australian children aged 5-16 years consumed at least one sugared drink per day;
- 13% of children consumed three or more sugared drinks on average per day;
- boys consume more sweet drinks than girls;
- children from the lowest income families consumed almost 60% more sugared drinks;
- the number of decayed, missing and filled deciduous (or baby) teeth was 46% higher among children who consumed three or more sweet drinks per day, compared with children who did not consume sweet drinks.
Earlier this month, the Cancer Council joined forces with Diabetes Australia and the National Heart Foundation of Australia in a campaign to tackle soft drink over-consumption which it says is a key contributor to obesity in Australia. ADAVB enthusiastically supports the initiative.
Meanwhile the California Centre for Public Health Advocacy has prepared a list of seven things that the soft drink manufacturers could do to drive meaningful change and still allow companies to maintain profitability.
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