A summary document on the topic of dietary sugars and dental health explaining that dental caries (tooth decay) is a major global health issue, especially in low-income countries where protective factors such as access to fluoride (e.g., use of fluoride toothpaste) and dental treatment are less available. Dental caries can develop over time when saliva interacts with easily digested carbohydrates (e.g., sugars and starches) and the bacteria living on dental plaque.