Editing Soft drink (section)

===Dental decay===
[[File:Soft drink shelf 2.jpg|thumb|Chilled soft drinks in a cooler in Brazil]]
Most soft drinks contain high concentrations of simple [[carbohydrate]]s: [[glucose]], [[fructose]], [[sucrose]] and other simple sugars. If oral bacteria ferment [[carbohydrate]]s and produce acids that may dissolve tooth enamel and induce dental decay, then sweetened drinks may increase the risk of [[dental caries]]. The risk would be greater if the frequency of consumption is high.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Marshall TA, Levy SM, Broffitt B, Warren JJ, Eichenberger-Gilmore JM, Burns TL, Stumbo PJ |title=Dental caries and beverage consumption in young children |journal=Pediatrics |volume=112 |issue=3 Pt 1 |pages=e184–91 |year=2003 |pmid=12949310 |doi=10.1542/peds.112.3.e184 |s2cid=2444019 |doi-access= }}</ref>

A large number of soda pops are [[acid]]ic as are many fruits, sauces, and other foods. Drinking acidic drinks over a long period and continuous sipping may [[acid erosion|erode the tooth enamel]]. A 2007 study determined that some flavored sparkling waters are as erosive or more so than orange juice.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The erosive potential of flavoured sparkling water drinks |journal=International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=86–91 |publisher=British Paedodontic Society and the International Association of Dentistry for Children |date=March 2007 |pmid=17263857 |first1=Catronia J. |last1=Brown |first2=Gay |last2=Smith |first3=Linda |last3=Shaw |first4=Jason |last4=Parry |first5=Anthony J. |last5=Smith |doi=10.1111/j.1365-263X.2006.00784.x }}</ref>

Using a [[drinking straw]] is often advised by [[dentistry|dentists]] as the drink does not come into as much contact with the teeth. It has also been suggested that [[Oral hygiene|brushing teeth]] right after drinking soft drinks should be avoided as this can result in additional erosion to the teeth due to mechanical action of the toothbrush on weakened enamel.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Bassiouny MA, Yang J |title=Influence of drinking patterns of carbonated beverages on dental erosion |journal=General Dentistry |volume=53 |issue=3 |pages=205–10 |year=2005 |pmid=15960479}}
*{{cite press release |date=June 17, 2005 |title=Saved By A Straw? Sipping Soft Drinks And Other Beverages Reduces Risk Of Decay |website=ScienceDaily |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050616060426.htm |access-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081754/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/06/050616060426.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>