Ice cream and sugary drinks cause tooth decay faster than other foods

What the research found

Reviews agree that sugar drives tooth decay. A 2014 systematic review found 42 of 50 studies in children reported at least one link between sugars and decay. A 2022 update found 11 of 15 child studies did too. Moderate-quality evidence shows less decay when free sugars are under 10% of energy.

Sugary drinks stand out. A 2022 meta-analysis of children in lower-income countries found sugary drinks had about twice the likelihood of leading to decay (OR 2.04). A 2019 review called sugar-sweetened drinks a leading cause of tooth decay in US children.

These reviews don't test ice cream specifically, and they don't measure how fast decay happens compared with other foods. Paediatric guidance says the longer and more often teeth are exposed to sugar, the greater the risk of cavities. It also says sticky foods that cling to teeth, like toffee and dried fruit, can do serious damage.

What it doesn’t mean

• This does not mean ice cream is uniquely harmful. Many sugary foods raise risk, and the research doesn't show that one food rots teeth faster than another.
• Frequency matters. Sipping sugary drinks through the day, or going to bed with a bottle of anything but water, keeps teeth bathed in sugar. Australian health advice says that if children do have sugary food and drinks, it's best to have them with meals.
• Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and regular dental check-ups matter alongside diet. Early decay often has no symptoms, so see a dentist if you're unsure about your child's teeth.