The average sugar consumption in Sri Lanka is more than three times the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), Consultant Dental Surgeon Dr. Chandana Gajanayake said, warning that oral health risks are increasing in the country.
Dr. Gajanayake noted that the average person in Sri Lanka consumes about 34 kilograms of sugar per year, compared to the 10 kilograms annually recommended by the WHO.
“The World Health Organization recommends that a healthy person should consume about 10 kilograms of sugar per year, but here the average person consumes about 34 kilograms annually,” he said at a media briefing.
He added that excessive sugar consumption significantly contributes to dental diseases, including gum disease.
“If we look at gum disease among adults, the percentage is about 50%. That means one in every two adults suffers from gum disease,” he explained.
Dr. Gajanayake made these remarks while addressing a briefing on the fifth National Oral Health Survey, which is scheduled to begin on March 10 and continue until November.
The last National Oral Health Survey in Sri Lanka was conducted in 2015–2016. The WHO recommends that such surveys be conducted every 10 years to assess the oral health status of a population.
According to the previous survey, about 30% of children aged around 12 years were affected by tooth decay, compared to about 70% recorded during the first National Oral Health Survey conducted in 1982–1983.
The upcoming survey will also focus on children aged five years and below, as previous surveys revealed that about 63% of children in this age group suffer from tooth decay.
Dr. Gajanayake also noted that more than 75% of people in Sri Lanka use fluoride toothpaste, describing it as a positive trend for dental health.
However, he warned that the increase in toothpaste prices during the economic crisis has led to the re-emergence of tooth powder products in the market.
“Tooth powder is harmful because its coarse texture can damage teeth,” he said.
