Dentists

Dentists see firsthand the damage that sugar causes on dental health and are an important alliance in the movement to end food-related disease (including dental caries).

Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Heart Association (AHA) already agree that there are healthy limits to added sugar in the human diet.

The USDA Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) is in the process of recommending new guidelines which would recommend limiting added sugar consumption to no more than 10% of total calories for adults, in alignment with the WHO and AHA recommendations. The World Health Organization recommends limiting added sugar to 10% of total calories and encourages more a conservative 5% of total calories for additional health benefits (dental caries increase significantly over the 5% threshold). 

Not surprisingly, the American Dental Association supports the new DGAC recommendations. They have submitted an official response to the USDA Guidelines proposal, supporting the changes to added sugar recommendations and advocating for more sugar research.
The IRN is interested in strengthening the network of leaders in the dental community that are supporting limits to added sugar, and reduction of processed foods in general. Please contact us and share how you are making a difference in the dental community with regard to these important issues. Any links to research and exemplary programs (linking diet and dental health) are also appreciated.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. Learn more here.

Showing 1 reaction

Sign in with

Facebook Twitter
Please check your e-mail for a link to activate your account.
  • commented 2016-03-21 12:33:18 -0700
    There is solid evidence that added Fructose is a major metabolic disaster in cases of over-consumption. Every health professional should understand to the sugar sweetened beverages and sports drinks not only decay teeth-they make people sick! Fatty liver, abdominal obesity and insulin dysfunction. Time for policy changes to defeat the widespread use of “no benefit” sugars.
Follow @ResponsibleFood on Twitter