How Does Alcohol Impact Your Dental Health?
Dr. D.Sendhil Nathan MDS, DNB Prosthodontics And Implantology
Monday blues or never-ending meetings at work place sure does fuel up the stress level that calls for quick booze to recharge your batteries. But did you know that it can also seriously impact your dental health? Yes, it can cause problems with your teeth and gums if you’re not careful. Alcohol Has both positive and negative impacts on our health. The study shows that moderate alcohol consumption can help protect our teeth from decay by increasing our levels of protective bacteria. However, on the other hand, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to several severe dental problems. So let’s take a look at how Alcohol affects your dental health.
Here are the Four ways that Alcohol harms your teeth:
1) Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is a condition where the gums and the surrounding tissue of the teeth become inflamed and infected. According to the Research, regular intake of Alcohol can Weaken the gums and supporting structures of the teeth which leaves the gums vulnerable to bacterial infection. This relationship can be attributed to various factors, including poor oral hygiene Habits and the Worsening of the existing inflammation within the oral cavity.
2) Dry Mouth
Alcohol has various effects on the human body, including causing dry mouth. This phenomenon, known as xerostomia, occurs when alcohol consumption is high. It leads to a reduction in saliva production, leading to an uncomfortable sensation in the oral cavity. It happens because Saliva plays a crucial role in our oral health as it helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and fight off harmful bacteria.
Therefore, understanding the connection between alcohol intake and dry mouth is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and overall health.
3) Stained Teeth
Drinking excessive Alcohol causes the enamel on your teeth to wear, exposing the innermost layer, the process known as demineralization. This, over time, might cause your teeth to become discolored and develop cavities. To get rid of this, Drink in moderation and avoid alcoholic beverages with a lot of sugar.
4) Dental Decay
Drinking Alcohol has long been a popular pastime for many, but have you ever considered the impact it could have on your dental health? Dental decay, also known as caries or cavities, can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption. It happens because of the high sugar content in many alcoholic beverages, the acidic nature of Alcohol, and the dehydration effect it has on our bodies. So it is important to know the Impact of Alcohol on our bodies to prevent dental health issues in the future.
How can we reduce the damage that Alcohol causes to our teeth?
- Ensure you drink enough water every time you sip on a harmful beverage, such as an alcoholic one, because Drinking Alcohol leads to a decrease in saliva flow.
- To further boost salivation between beverages, you can either chew sugar-free gum or place a mint on your tongue. Also, make sure You visit your dentist every six months once for a dental check-up.
- Use fluoride-containing Toothpaste After drinking. Protect your teeth from further damage.
Bottom line
Regular drinking of Alcohol leads to several dental problems, from Gum disease extreme to oral cancer, the research says that patients Who drink Alcohol regularly are three times more likely to experience tooth loss than normal patients. So make sure you consult your dentist to get rid of Dental problems in the future.
