5 Reasons Why Alcohol Is Bad For Your Teeth

While moderate alcohol consumption can be part of a healthy lifestyle, alcohol isn’t generally considered healthy. Part of its mixed reputation comes from both the short- and long-term effects it has on your body and your health, from your brain, to your blood sugar, to your liver.

But what are the effects of alcohol on your gums, mouth tissues, and teeth?

1. Sugar Content

Bacteria in your mouth feeds on sugar, so sipping on sugary drinks, like alcohol, helps the bacteria thrive. This bacteria creates acids that eat away at your teeth, weaken the enamel, and cause tooth decay. If you do decide to have a drink your dentist in Camberwell advises it is always better to choose alcohol with less sugar, such as dry wine (e.g. Sauvingnon Blanc over Moscato). 

2. Dehydration/Dry Mouth

Alcohol dries out the mouth and, when saliva flow is reduced, the risk for tooth decay and gum disease increases. This is because saliva plays an important role in oral health, helping wash away bacteria. When you have dry mouth or are dehydrated, bacteria clings to the enamel and increases your risk of tooth decay. Furthermore, dry mouth can cause embarrassing bad breath. If you are having a few drinks, your dentist in Hawthorn advises to make sure to pair each drink with a glass of water to replenish the saliva. Also, chewing on sugar-free gum can help increase saliva flow.

3. Teeth Staining

Alcoholic beverages with deep hues like sangria and red wine can turn your teeth red and cause long-lasting discoloration. You can keep any discoloration under control by munching on food while you drink and chewing sugar-free gum after drinking alcohol to bring your saliva levels back to normal.

Properly brushing and flossing your teeth, as well as getting professional dental cleanings and checkups every 6 months with your dentist in Surrey Hills, can help reduce the risk of alcohol-related dental problems. If you have damaged teeth due to heavy drinking, call your dentist in Balwyn to learn about our restorative services. 

4. Gum disease

Regular consumption of alcohol is likely to have a negative effect on your gum health. As many of us will know, alcohol causes dehydration and very often leaves us with a dry mouth in the morning. When you wake up like this, you may also notice a sticky ‘goo’ in your mouth. This is actually a collection of bacteria, and, although these bacteria are always present in our mouth, when our mouths are dry, they multiply much faster. The increased number of potentially harmful varieties can soon lead to gum disease if this is a frequent occurrence.

5. Poor healing

Following any dental surgery, and especially where significant intervention has been necessary,  your dentist in Mont Albert  advises not to drink alcohol for a little while. This is because alcohol consumption can slow down the healing process, both slowing down the healing time and also, potentially, increasing the risk of infection. This is due to the alcohol causing the tiny blood vessels in the gum to narrow, thereby slowing down the supply of blood to the area.

Wait 30 Minutes After Drinking to Brush

It’s okay to miss brushing your teeth before bed every now and then, but poor oral hygiene can have long-term impacts on your health. Your dentist in Kew advises  to wait 20 to 30 minutes after consuming alcohol before brushing your teeth. The acidity in alcohol temporarily softens tooth enamel, so brushing immediately after drinking can brush the enamel away. Brush and floss regularly once the enamel restores.

Schedule Regular Cleanings

Teeth that have recently been cleaned are smoother and have less build up, making it harder for stains and bacteria to settle in. Be sure to schedule regular cleanings with your dentist in Deepdene, and brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth healthy.

Opt for Lighter Liquors

In situations where you know you’ll be having more than one or two drinks, reach for low-sugar, light liquors, such as vodka or light beer and hold off on the citrusy drinks or add-ins as these can also weaken enamel. Drink water to prevent stains and keep saliva production active. While excessive alcohol is still harmful to your oral health, reducing sugars and stain-promoting chromogen intake can lessen the damage.

Our clinic is conveniently located close to Kew, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn, Deepdene and Camberwell. Please feel free to contact our caring dentists on 03) 9817 7144 for any of your dental needs.