As a specialty registrar in pediatric dentistry, I've seen first-hand the pain children experience because of poor oral health. Tooth decay happens when teeth are damaged by acids produced by oral bacteria breaking down sugar from foods and drinks—and although it's largely preventable—it's the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged between 5 and 9 in England.

Becoming the first state to ban fluoride is going to cost Utah, both financially and dentally

Hundreds of rural American communities face a one-two punch to oral health: a dire shortage of dentists and a lack of fluoridated drinking water, which is widely viewed among dentists as one of the most effective tools to prevent tooth decay.

Younger children should not be given any drinks containing artificial sweeteners, UK experts are now advising. The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) recommendations apply to beverages such as sugar-free 'toothkind' squash that has ingredients such as aspartame, stevia, saccharin and sucralose.