Drinking carbonated soft drinks regularly can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel surfaces.

Soft drinks, which contain sticky sugars that break down into acids, adhere easily to tooth surfaces. These acids can soften the teeth and promote formation of plaque, which erodes the enamel. Enamel breakdown leads to cavities. If erosion spreads beneath the enamel into the dentin, pain and sensitivity may result. This is usually a precursor to nerve infection, which can require root canal surgery.

Reviewed: January 2012