Impact of alcohol on oral health
Now that tailgate parties have resumed and all is right in the world, it’s time for the Eureka Dental Group team to keep our patients educated. We love to share information about revolutionary dental advancements on the horizon, but our favorite responsibility is to help you understand how everyday activities impact your oral health. One of these (sometimes daily) activities is alcohol consumption.
As with everything we enjoy, moderation is essential. But noting the impacts of alcohol is an important start so that you can make adjustments to protect your oral health.
The occasional glass of wine or beer will not pose a significant threat to your oral health. But as the occasional drink increases in frequency and quantity, the risks increase as well. This is where we would usually discuss the greater risk of cancers developing in your mouth, throat and esophagus (which is true). Or how when heavier drinking is combined with smoking, the cancer potential increases much further (also true). But let’s keep this light and focus on more immediate impacts to your mouth.
Alcohol is often chemically used as a drying agent, and it works exactly the same to your mouth and body. Increased consumption will decrease your saliva levels, which impedes your body’s natural defense system against tooth decay. Additionally, it creates a more acidic environment in your mouth, which can soften your tooth’s enamel. Lastly, the high sugar levels in alcohol (especially cocktails and craft beers) inherently contribute to cavities.
We suggest that our patients remember a few points of advice from our team. First, keep hydrated when consuming alcohol. A glass of water between alcoholic drinks is one way to offset a portion of the dehydrating effects.
Second, we recommend brushing approximately 20 minutes after consuming an alcoholic beverage. The 20 minute timeframe is important because it allows the saliva to remineralize the enamel that was softened by the acids.
If alcohol is abused, no preventive maintenance or amount of brushing will offset the damage. Dentists can usually determine early indications of alcoholism in patients by the condition of their gums and teeth. Thus, the most important lesson is moderation. Enjoying the occasional drink and avoiding overconsumption is the surest way to avoiding long term oral damage.
Our team loves a party as much as you do. And between tailgates and family events, we all know how to enjoy every minute of our time off. Hopefully this little reminder and our few suggestions can help you prepare accordingly. Have a great month from Eureka Dental!
Reference: charlburydental.co.uk