Sugar intake and dental caries in pupils in four South African ethnic groups

In virtually all populations, the prevalence of dental caries is increasing. To elucidate the local situation, especially as regards the influence of sugar intake, appropriate studies, In association with dental research workers, were made on 16-17-year-old pupils in four South African ethnic groups-Back, Coloured, Indian and White. As expected, the caries situation in Whites was poor, and in rural Blacks, excellent; data on Coloureds and Indians were intermediate. The most outstanding finding was that urban Blacks still have very good teeth despite relatively high sugar intake and an increasing consumption of refined cereal products. Discussion of these results, as well as those reported in numerous similar investigations, leads to the view that sugar is neither the sole nor the principal cariogenic component of modern dietaries.