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Last time we posted on this blog, we talked about the ways that soda works to compromise your oral health. However, coke isn’t the only commonly consumed liquid that could result in missing teeth, requiring treatment with dental implants. In fact, alcohol can actually be even worse for your teeth than soda. Alcohol has actually been blamed for widespread tooth decay, which is especially problematic as there are so many people that consume it. Statistics show that 50 percent of Americans have consumed alcohol in the past month, 70 percent in the past year. And these many people have no idea how bad the substance is for their teeth. Today, Dr. Matthew Huff is blogging to speak to Hill Country, TX area patients about five ways that alcohol could be irreversibly damaging their teeth.
1. Carbonated Alcohol
Unfortunately, some alcoholic beverages, such as champagne and certain spritzers, are made with carbonation. As we stated in the soda blog, carbonation is brought about through the use of carbonic acid, which is capable of eating away at the layers of your tooth protecting the root from damage. Enough of this damage will leave your teeth defenseless to the effects of tooth decay.
2. Sugar Content
Some alcoholic beverages are very high in sugar content. When you drink these beverages, this sugar ends up stuck to your teeth, where it will work to attract bacteria. With the sugar fueling it, this bacteria will create acids that will eat away at your teeth, eventually reaching the roots and causing much pain and discomfort. With enough damage, the only way to find relief will be to have the infected tooth removed.
3. Mixed Beverages
The most common beverage that gets mixed with alcohol is actually coke. As we know, coke is full of both sugar and carbonation. And, when you mix it with alcohol, you are receiving all of the negative effects of that coke, as well as the negative effects of alcohol. So your teeth will be receiving damage from two different fronts.
4. Dry Mouth
Alcohol is a substance called a diuretic. What is interesting about diuretics is the fact that they increase the rate at which you urinate. When you urinate a lot, your mouth will actually dry, which is something you don’t want to happen as your saliva works to remove dangerous bacteria from your teeth.
5. Failure to Brush
Usually, after a long night of drinking the last thing on a person’s mind is brushing their teeth. Unfortunately, failing to brush your teeth after drinking leaves all of the carbonation, sugar, and other detrimental substances gathered that night stuck on your teeth. These materials will sit on your teeth, attacking them until you finally get around to brushing.
Schedule a Consultation at Precision Dentistry and Implants
If you have lost teeth due to alcohol consumption, or for any other reason, then rest assured that we can find a dental implant treatment that can have you sporting a complete smile once again. If you would like to learn more about the effects that alcohol can have on your teeth and how dental implants can be used to reverse those effects, feel free to contact our Kerrville or Fredericksburg office and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Matthew Huff today.
