Update on the relationship between sugar consumption and dental caries

In 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) published recommendations on sugar intake that refer to the proportion of sugar in total daily energy intake. For a significant caries reduction, a sugar intake of less than 5% of the total daily calorie intake was set as a limit for all age groups. However, this limit value was formulated as "conditional" due to an insufficient study basis. A systematic literature review is now available in which clinical studies could be identified to verify this limit. These studies support and reinforce the previous WHO recommendations for a reduction in sugar intake with the aim of reducing caries. Thus, the recommendation can now be made without reservation. If the energy intake from sugar is limited to less than 5% of the total energy intake, significantly less caries occurs. Based on this knowledge, dental dietary recommendations should be communicated more emphasised. Even with a limit of 10 %, the caries burden is still significantly lower than in people who exceed this limit. To fall below the 5% limit, a maximum daily sugar intake of about 17.5 g is calculated for young children. © 2022, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinderzahnheilkunde e.V.