Sugar and oral health

Sugars are the chemical substances which are consumed in our day-to-day life. High intake of sugar is not only harmful for general health but causes deterioration of oral health. Dental caries remains a widespread disease which affects the majority of the global population. Ingestion of fermentable carbohydrate, particularly sucrose, is considered the major causative factors for dental caries. Both the dietary counseling and dietary modification are a crucial part in preventive dentistry which should begin as early as possible. Smart use of sugars can be recommended by dentist rather than cutting down all sugary foods, along with alternative substitutes, after carefully visualizing the dietary habits of the patients. This review article critically appraises sugars as one of the major causative factors for dental caries and its overall impact on oral health.