A new Australian study suggests a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks may prevent 3.7 million cases of tooth decay as well as 306,000 cases of gum disease or complete tooth loss nationally.

Health experts have thrown their support behind the proposal, which aligns with long-standing recommendations from the World Health Organization.

Researchers suggest money generated from the proposed tax could be used to strengthen oral health services, improving access and cutting costs at the dentist.

  • bananabenana@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    Yes I know there are studies. What I’m saying is since tooth decay is predominantly caused by acid erosion, not sugar, I’m confused why they would ignore this in this study and the modelling. Except for people who do not brush their teeth daily (which isn’t 0%!), then sugar is food for oral, acid-producing microbes.

    Reducing sugar is good, but tackling tooth decay requires public health education on acidic drinks as well as a sugar tax.