Caries and its sequelae are among the most prevalent
health problems facing American infants, children, and adoles-cents. Frequent ingestion of sugars and other carbohydrates (eg, fruit juices, acidic beverages) and prolonged contact of these substances with teeth are particular risk factors in the development of caries. Along with increasing caries risk, in-
creased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and snack foods also has been linked to obesity.15,16 Childhood over-
weight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions worldwide, and the prevalence among US youth has
quadrupled in children ages six to 11 and nearly doubled in adolescents ages 12 to 19 in the past 25 years.17