Alcohol’s Influence on Oral Health

We are all aware of alcohol’s negative impact on a person’s health. Liver and kidney problems, cancers and other diseases can all be caused by or worsened by excessive use of alcohol. Oral health is no exception. Frequent use of alcohol combined with poor oral hygiene can lead to serious oral diseases. In this article, we look at alcohol’s influence on oral health.

Teeth

Similar to soft drinks such as soda, juice, etc., alcohol contains high amounts of sugars and acids. These substances weaken the tooth’s enamel which can lead to tooth decay. The good news is -  your teeth can recover from the damage! Saliva washes away accumulated sugar from the teeth, however, the intake of alcohol causes dehydration which reduces saliva that would have otherwise helped teeth recover from the damage. 
It should also be noted that similar to coffee and tobacco products, alcohol can stain your teeth, so if you wish to maintain a healthy, white smile, you might want to reduce your alcohol consumption.

Gums

Alcohol can develop and further already existing periodontal diseases. Sugars and acids feed the bacteria in the person’s mouth which can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. These diseases loosen gum tissue which in result can cause tooth loss.

Tongue

Alcohol use can even influence the health of your tongue. It can lead to the development of small canker sores or ulcers, which are irritating and cause pain and discomfort in your mouth.

Dehydration from alcohol can also cause white tongue to develop – a condition in which the papillae (the tiny bumps that line the tongue) become inflamed and bacteria and dead cells become trapped within them. This causes a white film to cover the tongue’s surface. A lack of saliva also means that the bacteria and food particles around your teeth are not effectively washed away, which can lead to bad breath and even – black hairy tongue.

Preventing Alcohol’s Damage to Oral Health

To prevent the development of oral health problems caused by alcohol, our dental experts have put together some basic steps to take in order to lower the risk of alcohol related oral problems:

• Moderate use of alcohol – reduce the frequency and the amount of alcohol you use.
• Maintain proper oral hygiene – brush teeth twice per day for at least 2 minutes, use a rinsing solution regularly and floss daily. These things can greatly improve your oral health and help prevent oral diseases.
• Regular dental check-ups – regularly visit your dentist for dental check-ups to get your oral health checked.