Richard Hellen, who is also the chairman of the North Cumbria Local Dental Committee, says children in particular are at risk.

However, the British Soft Drinks Association says people simply need to consume fizzy drinks more sensibly.

Dentists nationwide recently admitted that worrying numbers of children need severely-decayed milk teeth removing.

'Plenty of decay'

Mr Hellen, who works at a surgery in Carlisle, said: "The problem is that drinks machines are so readily available, some even in schools.

"How can you tell your children not to go and buy something like that when they are away from you?

"I'm seeing plenty of decay related to the massive increase in the consumption of carbonated drinks in the past decade or so."

A spokesman for the British Soft Drinks Association said: "We're very committed to supporting all the advice that dentists give about the responsible way to drink these drinks.

"All kinds of food and drinks contain the acid and sugar that can lead to dental decay. That's why it's important for people of all ages to brush their teeth regularly."