Sugar & diet · Hidden sugars
Hidden sugars
Does “no added sugar” mean “sugar free”? In short — no.
“No added sugar” products still contain sugar, so they still count as a sugar attack on your teeth and can still cause decay. Here is what the label really tells you, and how to protect your teeth.
A healthy image that can mislead
Many companies use “no added sugar” to look healthy. The link between sugar and diabetes and obesity is convincing, so less sugar sounds appealing — but for your teeth this image can mislead.
Why “no added sugar” still causes decay
For tooth decay, what matters isn’t whether sugar is added or “natural”, nor how much is absorbed into your body — it’s whether there is free sugar available for plaque bacteria to ferment. Those bacteria turn free sugar into acid, which dissolves minerals from your teeth and causes decay.
“No added sugar” tells you nothing about free sugar. If a product truly had none, it would say “sugar free” or “zero sugar” instead. So “no added sugar” products likely still contain free sugar that can harm teeth.
How to avoid decay
The more often you have free sugar, the more chances plaque bacteria get to make acid — and sticky foods like dried fruit linger, releasing sugar slowly over time. So:
- Keep sugar to mealtimes; avoid sugary and sticky snacks and drinks between meals.
- Safe between-meal drinks: still or tap water, sugar-free non-carbonated drinks, and tea or coffee without sugar.
- If you snack, choose sugar-free options — nuts and seeds, sugar-free jelly, low-fat hummus, fruit and vegetables.
The WHO’s guidance on free sugars is available here (PDF). Text and further advice adapted from dentalchoices.org.
Watch
See what the label hides
A short film on why ‘no added sugar’ still means sugar — and still means decay.
Common questions
Hidden sugars — your questions answered
Does “no added sugar” mean sugar free?
No. Such products still contain free sugar, so they can still cause tooth decay.
What is “free sugar”?
Sugar that’s available for plaque bacteria to ferment into acid — the acid that dissolves teeth.
How do I know if something is truly sugar free?
Look for “sugar free” or “zero sugar” — not “no added sugar”, which tells you nothing about free sugar.
What can I snack on safely?
Nuts, seeds, sugar-free jelly, low-fat hummus, fruit and vegetables — and keep sweet things to mealtimes.
Read the label, protect your teeth
Keeping sugar to mealtimes is the single best way to avoid decay.