The effects of alcohol on our teeth
Many of us like to enjoy a drink or two – especially after a long day at work or to celebrate the weekend. While alcohol certainly has it’s social benefits, it can cause damage to our teeth. Unfortunately, many don’t know the negative impact alcohol has on oral health – with one survey revealing that only 16% of people have considered the effects of alcohol on their teeth. With this in mind, we’re sharing the impact of alcohol on oral health and telling you how you can minimise the risks.
Your favourite tipples – and how they affect your teet
Alcopops and cocktails
Alcopops and cocktails are two of the most popular choices among young adults – but also bring some of the most severe risks to our oral health. Bottles of Smirnoff Ice, VK, and WKD are packed with sugar, which eat away at the enamel and lead to decay. What’s more, the longer sugar stays in your mouth, the worse the effects can be. So, if you’re sipping on bottle after bottle over a few hours, you’ll be bathing your teeth in sugars and acid, which will begin to attack your teeth.
Red wine
Most of us know that red wine, like a number of other beverages, can lead to teeth staining. Red wine features chromogens, which are dark pigments, and tannins, which are also found in tea, which together will stain your teeth.
Like all alcohols, red wine also dries out your mouth, reducing saliva production. While this might not sound too significant, saliva is actually vital in protecting against tooth decay and helps to remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth. Without it, bacteria can thrive and erosion becomes a real risk.
Beer
Like other alcohols, beer is acidic and so can be harmful to your teeth when sipped over a long period of time. However, compared to other popular choices, beer is one of the less-damaging alcohols to teeth.
With some beer and alcopops, however, there’s also the risk of using your teeth to snap off bottle caps. This, of course, can cause permanent damage and is definitely not worth the risk.
How to minimise the dental risks of alcohol
Just because alcohol can affect your teeth, doesn’t mean you have to ditch that occasional social drink. With a good dental care routine and regular visits to your dentist, along with limiting your consumption, you can minimise the negative effects of alcohol.
We recommend:
Sipping water while drinking alcohol
For every glass of alcohol you drink, sip on a glass of water. This will help wash away the sugars and acids and keep you hydrated, encouraging saliva stimulation.
Consider sugar-free gum
Sugar-free gum usually goes well with a night out on the town – and it can help to minimise the damage of alcohol too, as it stimulates saliva production.
Keep up a good dental care regime
Brushing twice daily and flossing once a day can help to remove plaque and reduce the chance of decay. While it may be tempting to skip your nightly brush after an evening out, it’s not a good idea!
See our dental hygienist bi-annually
Make sure you take advantage of our hygienist’s services. With every appointment, you’ll get a deep and intensive clean, which targets all those hard-to-reach areas. This will help to maintain good dental health and prevent any minor plaque build-ups from becoming a problem.
Invest in our Teeth Whitening treatment
If you’re already seeing the negative effects of alcohol on your teeth, why not treat yourself to a whiter smile with our Teeth Whitening treatment? The treatment promises a visibly whiter smile in just three days!
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