Survey: Cola Cavities – Next Smile

From a young age, we’ve been warned of the damage that can be caused to your teeth by sugary drinks, due to their combination of sugars, carbonation and acids. There is actually a term, ‘Cola Cavities’, which refers specifically to tooth decay caused by the frequent consumption of soft drinks. Interestingly, this concept is common in the Appalachian region of the US, where 98% of people experience tooth decay before the age of 44. However, the carbonated soft drink industry in America is valued at more than $136 million and only increasing with each year.

And with more people working from home since the start of the pandemic with easy access to sugary drinks, convenience foods and a candy stash (and less frequent visits to the dentist), it’s likely that many are struggling with their dental health in general.

Cola Cavities by State

Infographic and table below illustrate results and rankings across the country, broken down by state (1 being the most likely to suffer from ‘Cola Cavities’ and 50 being least likely).