Dental experts are claiming ‘Inadequate’ oral health response is leaving 3.5 billion people with poor oral care.

A series in the Lancet are claiming that the 3.5billion people who suffer from oral diseases have been let down, and are calling for a tighter regulations on the sugar industry and a reform of dental care.

“Dental experts are claiming ‘Inadequate’ oral health response is leaving 3.5 billion people with poor oral care. “

Professor Richard Watt, lead author of the series, said to The Guardian, “the current dental care and responses have been inadequate and costly leaving billions of people without access to basic oral health. A different approach is needed in order to effectively tackle this crisis.”

Researcher’s claim we’re consuming too much sugar with drinks and baby food being the main concern. ‘Sugar consumption is the primary cause of tooth decay’ Commented Professor Watt ‘with a high level of sugar in commercial baby food and in drinks, we’re encouraging babies and toddlers to develop a pallet for sweetness at an early stage in life. If we are to tackle the causes of oral health we need tighter regulations to restrict the marketing and promotion of sugary foods and drinks.”

Professor Mary Fewtrell, assistant officer for health improvement and nutrition lead for The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health agreed. “Baby weaning products often contain a high proportion of fruit or sweeter tasting vegetables. Convenience food packaged in pouches is mainly pureed, so babies are missing out on the opportunity to learn about eating food from a spoon.”