Support for Jamie's war on sugar

Although the link between a high-sugar diet and obesity and diabetes is well known, the FGDP(UK) was pleased to see that the programme brought attention to the detrimental effect too much sugar can have on our oral health. In particular, the FGDP(UK) feels it was important to show the shocking impact sugar is having on children’s health, and on resources in the NHS.

’Sugar Rush’ comes after figures published last month showed the high numbers of extractions and restorations which are carried out on children to treat preventable disease, such as dental caries. Almost 26,000 children in 2013-14 needed to have teeth removed in hospital under general anaesthetic. This is a terrible indictment on the state of the nation’s oral health.

This, alongside a recent Government report, confirmed what we already all knew - high levels of sugar consumption are associated with a greater risk of tooth decay. Drinking high-sugar beverages can result in weight gain and the associated increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.