Unfortunately, most people don’t think about the consequences of drinking alcohol and how it can affect your oral health. The truth is that alcohol can do serious harm to your teeth and gums.
How does alcohol harm your teeth?
Alcohol, such as a glass of wine, can affect the calcium on your teeth by sucking it dry and leaving you with bad breath. In addition, overconsumption of alcohol has been associated with mouth cancer. To try and keep the damage level to your oral health low, rinsing your mouth with water and using mouthwash after drinking will help your teeth recover from any damage caused and prevent bad breath.
Each time you drink alcohol, you are dehydrating your mouth and your body. This is because alcohol makes you pass more water and affects your saliva flow. We need a consistent supply of saliva to help break down plaque, leading to bad breath and even gum disease if left to build up.
Are acidic drinks good for your teeth?
Most alcoholic drinks are highly acidic. This is terrible news for your teeth as acidity wears away your dental enamel (the calcium coating on the tooth’s surface), leaving the under layer of the tooth exposed. This layer contains the sensitive nerve endings in your tooth and is a slightly darker shade of yellow. So, when the enamel layer is weakened by acidic drinks, you might suffer from pain and sensitivity, and your teeth might look discoloured. In addition, red wines and darker coloured alcohol drinks, such as port, also add to the staining of your teeth. By sticking to clear alcohol drinks, you will help reduce the staining done to your teeth by alcohol.
