Alcohol and Teeth

Considerations for Your Oral Health

Summertime means baseball games, backyard barbeques, and beachside vacations, and often times it also means indulging in some alcoholic beverages. Regardless of what types of drinks you prefer – beers, cocktails, wine – it is important to know that your teeth and alcohol are not always the best of friends. While alcoholic beverages can be damaging to teeth, it is comforting to know that a good oral hygiene routine can help reduce the risks alcohol poses to oral health and allow you to enjoy a beverage or two.

Alcohol Has High Sugar Content

When it comes to tooth decay, sugar poses a major risk – bacteria in the mouth thrive on sugar, so sipping on sweet summertime cocktails can give these bacteria what they need to thrive. The easiest ways to combat this combination are to choose drinks with a lower sugar content, to drink water to wash sugar away from the teeth, and to make sure to practice a good oral hygiene routine. If sugar is allowed to sit on the teeth too long, bacteria will grow and cause damaging and also painful tooth decay.

Alcohol Causes Dehydration of the Body and Mouth

One of the most forgotten side effects alcohol has on the body is dehydration. Not only is this not good for your bodily health, but it is also not good for your teeth. Alcohol use decreases the flow of saliva, which is responsible for washing away bacteria from the teeth – if the bacteria isn’t washed away, it is easy for it to cause tooth decay. The best way to combat dehydration is to make sure to alternate glasses of water with your drink of choice to not only help keep saliva flowing but also wash away sugars left on the teeth.

Colored Alcohol Can Stain Teeth

For those of us who enjoy a dark red wine, brightly or deeply colored cocktails, and other colored drinks, it is important to know that these highly pigmented beverages can stain the teeth. These drinks can cause long-lasting discoloration as well as dullness of the teeth. A great way to help prevent stains from happening is by following a proper oral hygiene routine and using a whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes are designed to remove stains from the teeth gradually, are less abrasive than a whitening treatment, and can also help prevent long term discoloration from occurring on the teeth’s surface.

If you have questions regarding alcohol consumption and dental health, remember it always helps to consult with your dentist as well as your doctor. If you're also in need of a dental visit, you can sign up for our New Hampshire Individual Discount Dental Plan to save as much as 20 percent on your dental bills. For more information, please click here.

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