Sip All Day. Get Decay.

Soft drinks are no longer an occasional treat. They've become a daily habit for a growing number of people, especially kids, teens and young adults. A steady diet of soft drinks is a leading cause of tooth decay.

Here's how you get cavities.

Sugar in soda pop combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid which attacks your teeth and breaks down the protective enamel on your teeth. Each acid attack lasts about 20 minutes.

The acid attack starts over again with every sip of soda you take. Ongoing acid attacks weaken your tooth enamel. When the enamel is damaged, the bacteria in your mouth moves into the damaged area and causes cavities.

Many sodas contain both sugar and acid, causing double trouble in your mouth. Diet, or "sugar-free" sodas contain high levels of acid, eve though they may not have sugar.

How to reduce decay

Drink soft drinks in moderation and don't sip for extended periods of time.

Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth and swish your mouth out with water to dilute the sugar.

Never drink pop or juice before bed. The liquid pools in your mouth and coats your tongue and teeth with sugar and acid.

Drink water instead of pop. It has no sugar, and no acid.

Use a fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth and get regular checkups and cleanings to remove bacteria buildup.