We’ve talked previously on this blog about the corrosive properties of soda. However, soda isn’t the only substance people commonly drink that is harming their teeth. In fact, it turns out that alcohol can actually have many negative effects on our teeth. Alcohol consumption damages our teeth in a variety of different ways, and can even result in tooth decay, which can lead to missing teeth. Today, Dr. Altschuler is blogging from Gainesville, FL to talk about some of the ways that alcohol is working to undermine your oral health. With this knowledge, we hope that our patients will better regulate their alcohol consumption.
Save Your Teeth by Drinking Alcohol in Moderation
Alcohol damages our teeth in many different ways. Some of these ways include:
1. Carbonation
One of the worst types of alcohol for your teeth is carbonated alcohol. Much like with soda, the carbonation used on champagne and certain spritzers is acidic, meaning it can wear away the enamel on your teeth, leaving them open to more dangerous oral conditions. It is for this reason that we suggest you avoid these beverages.
2. Sugar Content
Some alcoholic beverages are actually very high in sugar content. Sugar is dangerous because it sticks to your teeth and attracts dangerous bacteria to your teeth. Bacteria uses this sugar to create acids, which will proceed to eat away at your teeth. This is called tooth decay, and, if it manages to damage your teeth too much, they will need to be removed.
3. Mixed Drinks
One of the most common substances that alcohol is mixed with is actually soda. Because of the carbonation and high sugar content of soda, alcohol mixed with it can be very dangerous for your teeth. We recommend drinking mixed drinks with a straw to minimize the amount of contact the substance has with your teeth.
4. Bad Breath
Alcohol is a diuretic, which increases the rate at which you urinate and dries your mouth. This is a problem because saliva provides the first line of defense against bacteria for our mouth. Because you don’t have the saliva to wash away bacteria, your breath can actually start to smell.
5. Don’t Forget to Brush
After a long night of drinking, the last thing that most people want to do is brush their teeth. It is very important that you do not give into this urge because neglecting to brush leaves all of the sugar and acid from your night drinking on your teeth. This debris then spends the whole night on your teeth, continuing to damage them.
Schedule a Dental Implant Consultation in Gainesville
If you do happen to drink too much alcohol and it ends up costing you a tooth, we can perform a single tooth restoration using a dental implant to replace that tooth. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots made from titanium that are fused to your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. If you would like to learn more about how dental implants can benefit you, we encourage you to contact us and schedule a no-obligation consultation with dental implant provider, Dr. Altschuler, today. We look forward to seeing you soon!
