section_path: Health effects/Tooth decay
section_name: Tooth decay
paragraph_text: Tooth decay
  
  The WHO, Action on Sugar and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) consider free sugars an essential dietary factor in the development of dental caries. WHO have stated that "dental caries can be prevented by avoiding dietary free sugars".
  
  A review of human studies showed that the incidence of caries is lower when sugar intake is less than 10% of total energy consumed. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is associated with an increased risk of tooth decay.