The bars and restaurants have been open in Wales for some time now, so some of us may have found ourselves indulging in a little more alcohol than usual. However, regardless of whether you prefer wine or beer, you should remember that alcohol and teeth aren’t natural friends!
Here’s how alcohol can affect your teeth, and the steps you can take to reduce the impact.
Many alcoholic drinks have a high sugar content.
Your sugar intake can have a huge impact on your risk of tooth decay. This is due to the bacteria that lives within our mouths breeding on it, so drinking sugary alcoholic beverages is basically giving this bacteria food to thrive off.
By choosing beverages that are lower in sugar, you can reduce the impact of this – but you’ll still need to remember to carry out your full oral hygiene routine once you get home.
Alcohol dehydrates your body, including your mouth!
One of the often-forgotten side effects of alcohol, dehydration, can be just as damaging on your teeth as it is on the rest of your body. Drinking alcohol leads to a lowered saliva flow, so instead of your mouth’s bacteria being washed away with the saliva, it will cling to your enamel for longer, increasing your risk of cavities and tooth decay.
If your out celebrating a bit of freedom, you could consider alternating your alcoholic beverages with a glass of water. This not only replenishes your saliva and keeps your mouth cleansed, but also might help with your head the next day.
Another thing you can try to help with saliva flow is to chew sugar-free gum between your drinks to stimulate extra saliva production.
Alcoholic drinks can stain your teeth.
When you choose a heavily coloured alcoholic drink, you can end up staining your teeth. This includes drinks such as red wine, sangria, various cocktails, and darker spirits. Drinking with deep hues can temporarily turn your teeth a certain colour, and can even create long-lasting discolouration and dullness.
Make sure you counteract the impact of vibrant drinks with a good oral hygiene routine. Remember to only brush your teeth at least half an hour after consuming alcohol or eating, as any time before this means you’ll be brushing sugar into your teeth – causing an adverse effect!
With a little extra care, it’s fine to enjoy yourself – just don’t let all extra drinks negatively affect your teeth.
