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Too much sugar intake leads to dental decays in infants

Experts link the effects of high sugar intake among kids to the effects of tobacco consumption

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When two-year-old Shivansh Singh smiles, one can only see his upper gums and few teeth left in the lower row. The two-year-old kid has lost all temporary teeth, and according to the experts, he has completely destroyed the teeth in his upper jaw. This trend, which is increasing, is becoming a cause of concern for the medical fraternity.

Disturbing trends are now being witnessed where higher level of sugar consumption is resulting into dental caries in kids as young as two years.

"The teeth started to fall down one by one. Initially, we thought that it was a routine exercise but then later on we realised that these symptoms were not good. We immediately took him to a dentist for a detailed check up," said Manisha Singh, his mother.

Among the various causes, one of the main reasons for this early destruction of teeth at such a young age is high level of sugar consumption. "We were asked about his daily diet and the kind of food he used to eat. Doctors later on assessed that most of his food included high sugar level which has resulted into the loss of upper teeth," added his mother.

"We are equally surprised to see infants as young as two years coming to us with these dental caries. After the overall examination, we found out that most of these kids used milk bottles for feeding and these bottles were left in their mouths for long. This leads to deposition of sugar, mixed in the milk, in and around their teeth, leading to caries,' said Dr OP Kharbanda, Chief of Centre for Dental Education and Research (CDER), AIIMS.

On teeth-related ailments, he added that about 25 per cent people suffer from malocclusion (imperfect positioning of the teeth when the jaws are closed), with the age group of 10-30 being the most susceptible. A global report published in March this year in Journal of Dental Research assessed the sugar consumption and changes in dental caries from childhood to adolescence. The study was performed by Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health and it said higher the sugar consumption level, more is the risk of dental caries.

"Carries occurred at a relatively constant rate over the period of study, but in all sugar consumption groups, the increment of dental caries was slightly higher between ages 6 and 12 years than between 12 and 18 years.

Adjusted analysis showed that dental caries increment ratio between 6 and 18 years was 20 per cent and 66 per cent higher in upward caries and high sugar consumer groups as compared with low consumers," the report said.

Seeking to demystify the evidence on sugar consumption reaching levels of addiction akin to tobacco, the AIIMS is organising an international symposium here on — 'Is Sugar the New Tobacco' — on November 11.

The symposium will have experts from WHO and the Government of India.

"We will discuss the multidisciplinary approach necessary for curbing dangers associated with excessive intake of refined sugar, with emphasis on the role of dental professionals," added Dr Kharbanda.

Facts

AIIMS is organising an international symposium here on — "Is Sugar the New Tobacco" — on November 11.
A global report published in March this year in Journal of Dental Research assessed the sugar consumption and changes in dental caries from childhood to adolescence.

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