See Cavities, Think Systemic Disease

Caries are frequently a sign of excess sugar intake and this can be related to systemic disease. The clinician should broaden their thinking to include the possibility that excess sugar intake can cause systemic disease from atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular disease, coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. Excess sugar damages the body in the following manner, e.g. overloads and damages the liver, causes weight gain, creates metabolic syndrome, increases uric acid levels which is a risk factor for heart and kidney disease.