You may have heard about how sodas, energy drinks and fruit juices can wreak havoc on your teeth, but what about that nightly glass of wine? While alcoholic drinks are known for their short and long-term effects on the body, they can also contribute to specific issues within your mouth.
If you are a light or even moderate drinker, the oral health risks greatly diminish. However, heavy drinkers are much more likely to suffer from a host of dental health issues ranging from gum disease and cavities to mouth sores and even oral cancer!
How Drinking Can Impact Your Teeth
While the occasional glass of wine or a few beers on the weekends may be safe for your teeth, those with alcohol-use disorder are reported to have higher plaque levels. In fact, they may be up to three times more likely to experience tooth loss!
Another widespread consequence of alcoholic drinks is staining. You don’t have to be a red wine drinker to be at risk for stained or dull teeth. Even beer registers at a high acidic value, which can damage tooth enamel and make staining more likely. Dark beers that contain dark barley and malts can contribute to tooth stains just like red wine.
A less obvious detriment of alcohol and your oral health is dryness. Beverages with a high alcohol content can dry out the mouth. Without adequate amounts of saliva, your mouth cannot remove plaque and bacteria and neutralize acids as easily as it should. Your teeth and gums can suffer as a result.
Let a Dentist Evaluate Your Smile
Not sure if your drinking habits have impacted your dental health? A dentist can properly evaluate your teeth for stains, decay and other issues that need attention. At Park South Dentistry, we like to see our patients on a routine basis so that we can catch and prevent minor dental problems before they become costly and serious.
