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Excessive sugar intake from sugar-sweetened beverages is a major contributor to early childhood dental decay, one of the most common chronic diseases in children ages 1-5, especially among low-income and minority groups. Young children’s teeth are particularly vulnerable to prolonged exposure to sugar, which can also impact their nutrition, growth, speech, and school readiness (Giles et al., 2024). To address this issue, this fact sheet is aimed at policymakers and proposes stricter front-of-package labeling regulations on sugary beverages to help families make healthier choices and prevent early dental problems. It highlights the evidence and outlines actionable strategies to reduce health disparities in dental care.
By Jeane HanExcessive sugar intake from sugar-sweetened beverages is a major contributor to early childhood dental decay, one of the most common chronic diseases in children ages 1-5, especially among low-income and minority groups. Young children’s teeth are particularly vulnerable to prolonged exposure to sugar, which can also impact their nutrition, growth, speech, and school readiness (Giles et al., 2024). To address this issue, this fact sheet is aimed at policymakers and proposes stricter front-of-package labeling regulations on sugary beverages to help families make healthier choices and prevent early dental problems. It highlights the evidence and outlines actionable strategies to reduce health disparities in dental care.