Abstract
It is believed that the single most important factor affecting the incidence of dental caries in children is the frequency of exposure of teeth to non-milk extrinsic sugars, particularly sucrose, in the diet. Restricting consumption of sugar- containing snacks and drinks to mealtimes makes a signifi cant contribution to the reduction of dental caries in children and consequent improvement in oral health. Many schools offer children sugar-containing drinks and snacks at break-times although they may give children the option of healthy food choices at mealtimes. Attempts by dentists to persuade schools to change their break-time food and drink policies may be met with moderate success, especially with respect to drinks.
Recently a sugar-free cup drink has been made available to schools in an attractive package and at an attractive price. An innovative campaign to promote sugar-free cup drinks in schools is described. By this campaign a reduction of dental caries' experience in schoolchildren may be achieved. Proposals are made for sugar-free cup drinks to be recog nised as a safe confectionery and to be endorsed with the 'Tooth-friendly Sweets' logo.
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