What Does Alcohol Do To Teeth?

It’s around this time of year when we’re bombarded with parties, family celebrations, and impromptu get togethers. It’s also when we tend to have more alcohol available to us than any other time of the year. While we know you understand the serious complications drinking too much alcohol may have on your body, all of us at my Charlottesville dental office want to make sure you also know how alcohol can affect your teeth.

Why Is Alcohol Bad for Teeth?

Alcohol is naturally dehydrating — both to the body and to your mouth. When your mouth becomes dry, enough saliva isn’t produced. This is a problem. Saliva rids your mouth of unwanted, dangerous bacteria and neutralizes damaging acid. Without it, your teeth are vulnerable to acid attacks and decay. What’s more, alcohol is high in both sugar and acid. When you combine those ingredients and take away the saliva that’s meant to wipe them away, your teeth are left exposed to the dangers of enamel wear, decay, cavities, and more.

What Can it Do?

Over-consumption of alcohol not only increases the risk for decay and cavities, it may also lead  to more serious oral health concerns like oral cancer and gum disease. In fact, recent research has shown that excessive drinkers are three times more likely to suffer from serious gum disease than a non-drinker. Gum disease is a dangerous problem that not only affects the mouth, but can lead to more complicated issues throughout the body like heart disease, increased risk for stroke, and diabetic complications.

How to Protect Your Smile.

• Brush & Floss — It’s recommended you brush twice a day and floss once a day. After drinking an alcoholic beverage, wait 20 minutes, then brush. It can help decrease the negative effects alcohol has on the mouth.
• Limit Alcohol Consumption — The best way to avoid problems caused by alcohol is to reduce the amount you have. Also try to drink a glass of water in between multiple adult beverages.
• Seek Help if Needed — If you suspect you have an addiction to alcohol, we encourage you to seek counseling.

• Visit Your Charlottesville Dentist Regularly — At least every six months is crucial for catching any problems early.

At my dental office in Charlottesville, we’re dedicated to the health of our patients — both their oral health and overall health. Many times the first signs of an alcohol problem show in the mouth. This is one reason we recommend keeping up with regular appointments. If you’re overdue on your checkups, give us a call. We’ll be happy to see you.

Serving patients from Charlottesville, Earlysville, and Ruckersville.

About The Author

Dr. Jack T. Kayton

Dr. Jack T. Kayton has served families in Charlottesville and surrounding areas since 1994 through his general and family dentistry private practice. Believing that everyone deserves quality dental care, he donates his time to worthy causes. He volunteers at the Donated Dental Service and the Charlottesville Free Clinic. His professional affiliations include the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Academy of General Dentistry, among others.

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