Relation between medicines sweetened with sucrose and dental disease.
The teeth of 44 children aged under 6 years who had been taking syrup medicines regularly for at least six months were compared with those of a control group of 47 children of similar ages. Dental disease was assessed by measuring dental caries, dental plaque, and gingivitis. The children who were receiving sucrose-based medicines had significantly more carious teeth and gingivitis. It is concluded that sucrose-based medicines continuously administered to children cause dental caries and gingivitis. Liquid medicines for children should be either unsweetened or sweetened with non-cariogenic substances.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000139:chemically induced; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000139:chemically induced; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012996:Solutions; D013395:Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012996:Solutions; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013395:Sucrose