Non-sugar substitutes: Effects on oral health

Abstract

With people becoming more and more aware of the detrimental effects one’s lifestyle can have on health, people are shifting to what we refer to as “sugar-free” in the hope of being able to live a healthier life, but what we don’t know are the hidden effects these labeled products have. There are recent studies and comments about the hazardous effects that these sugar-free products have on both general and oral health. The recent World Health Organization recommendations suggest that the use of artificial sweeteners may pose a risk of cancer development, which raises many eyebrows as these artificially sweetened products have seen an extensive boon in the past few years due to the possible health benefits that are said to be associated with them. It sometimes appears that what we are told is beneficial for us one day and it is then said to be detrimental for us the next. This can make determining exactly what we should be doing to maintain our optimal health difficult. Hence, this review talks about the effects of non-sugar substitutes and what must be done about them.