Impact of Sugary Drugs on Children's Oral Health

Dental caries was described for decades as a transmissible infectious disease caused by microorganisms such as Streptococcus mutans. However, recent research has classified it as a non-communicable and controllable disease, related to risk factors similar to other chronic diseases. This paradigm shift has led to the prioritisation of management strategies that seek to balance the oral biofilm and minimise the effects of external factors such as excessive sugar consumption. Frequent consumption of liquid sweetened paediatric medicines was identified as a significant risk factor. These products contain sweeteners such as sucrose, which increases the acidogenic activity of the oral microbiome, lowering pH and promoting demineralisation of tooth enamel. In addition, prolonged use of these medicines aggravates problems such as xerostomia, reducing the buffering capacity of saliva. Studies have pointed out that ignorance about the impact of sugar-sweetened medicines is common among paediatricians and caregivers. Although sugar-free alternatives exist, their use is limited. Public policies regulating sugar content in medicines, together with oral hygiene education campaigns, are essential to mitigate the associated risks. Finally, the need for a comprehensive approach that includes collaboration between paediatricians and dentists to prevent dental caries and improve children's quality of life was highlighted.