this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2026
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Sugar tax may prevent millions of dental procedures, study suggests (www.abc.net.au)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by arbilp3@aussie.zone to c/australia@aussie.zone
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Health experts have thrown their support behind the proposal, which aligns with long-standing recommendations from the World Health Organization.

Researchers suggest money generated from the proposed tax could be used to strengthen oral health services, improving access and cutting costs at the dentist.

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[–] bananabenana@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

While I support this, why do none of these studies or articles talk about carbonic acid, which is what makes soft drink fizzy? This directly erodes enamel and causes tooth decay. By simply rinsing your mouth with water after soft drinks, you massively reduce the amount of time your teeth are exposed to acid. Same for orange juice etc. This also work for the sugar in the drink - dilution in action.

[–] arbilp3@aussie.zone 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

There are studies on carbonic acid in soft drinks. I know because your comment sparked me into looking it up.

As far as I'm concerned, another reason to not drink carbonated drinks. Better and cheaper to filter water at home and take your own bottle with you.

[–] bananabenana@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Yes I know there are studies. What I'm saying is since tooth decay is predominantly caused by acid erosion, not sugar, I'm confused why they would ignore this in this study and the modelling. Except for people who do not brush their teeth daily (which isn't 0%!), then sugar is food for oral, acid-producing microbes.

Reducing sugar is good, but tackling tooth decay requires public health education on acidic drinks as well as a sugar tax.