Soft drink consumption and caries risk in children and adolescents.

Soft drink consumption has increased dramatically in the United States over the last two decades. This increase in the consumption of soft drinks has led to a decrease in dairy consumption among children and adolescents and increased the risk for dental caries and a host of systemic complications. This paper addresses the changing consumption of beverages among children and adolescents, the health consequences of such a change, and a new caries risk assessment tool that can be utilized in a private practice setting.