Introduction

At the recent UN summit on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, oral conditions were highlighted as one of the major global health priorities.1 In childhood, dental caries (tooth decay) is the main oral disease. Dental caries although preventable still affects many children, particularly those from more disadvantaged social backgrounds. In high- and middle-income countries, caries rates overall have declined in recent decades. In low-income countries, however, the prevalence of caries is rising rapidly due to the increasing availability and consumption of sugary foods and drinks.

Dental caries has a significant impact on a child's quality of life. The consequences of caries include pain and discomfort, chronic infection, sleepless nights and hospitalisation for tooth extractions. The consumption of sugary foods and drinks is the key cause of dental caries. High sugars consumption is also associated with weight gain and obesity. Current clinical caries preventive approaches are ineffective in tackling oral health inequalities, and are too costly for most populations. A paradigm shift in preventive approaches is urgently required to tackle the underlying causes of dental caries. The aim of this paper is to highlight the public health significance of dental caries and to stress the key aetiological role played by sugars consumption in both caries development and obesity. Proposals are then outlined for public health strategies to reduce sugars consumption to promote child health.