Is Alcohol Bad for Your Teeth?

“Is alcohol bad for your teeth?” It’s a question patients at Penn Dental Family Practice (PDFP) sometimes ask.

Our answer? “It can be.” The effects of alcohol on the teeth and mouth can cause both short- and long-term harm.

Read on for facts you need to make informed decisions about balancing your choice of beverage with your oral health.

Sugar and Acid in Alcohol Can Cause Cavities

Does alcohol cause cavities? Alcohol metabolizes into sugar, and sugar attracts the bacteria that cause dental caries (cavities).

Not all alcoholic drinks are equally sugary. As you would expect, the drier your wine or champagne, the less sugar it contains. And your risk of alcohol-related tooth decay rises with beverages that use such sugary mixers as colas and juices.

In addition, acidic alcoholic drinks, such as certain white wines, can erode tooth enamel over time, making teeth more susceptible to decay.

Alcohol also inhibits the production of saliva, which leads to dry mouth (xerostomia). Although occasional dry mouth is normal, our mouths need saliva to naturally neutralize acids and to wash away food particles that fuel cavity-causing bacteria.

Chemicals in Alcohol Contribute to Dental Stains

Staining is another concern, particularly with red wine and various mixed drinks.

These beverages contain chromogens—colorless chemical compounds that take on color after a chemical reaction. Chromogens tend to stick to tooth enamel, leading to discoloration.

Red wine, in particular, contains tannins. These natural compounds enhance chromogens’ ability to stick to teeth, making it easier for stains to set. Dyes in some mixed drinks also increase their staining potential.

Though white wines have fewer tannins than red wine does, they are quite acidic. Their acid, in addition to eroding your enamel, leaves teeth more susceptible to stains from other foods and drinks. Pigments can penetrate rougher enamel more easily.

Alcohol Can Be a Factor in Gum Disease

Periodontal disease (gum disease) arises from inflammation and infection of the gums and the teeth’s supporting structures. Research suggests people who drink heavily have more severe forms of gum disease than do moderate or nondrinkers.

Alcoholic beverages can contribute to periodontal disease’s development and progression in several ways.

The buildup of plaque—the thin, sticky, bacteria-laden film that’s always forming on teeth—is a significant effect of alcohol on teeth. Alcoholic sugars and carbohydrates encourage plaque’s growth. When not regularly removed, plaque hardens into tartar, resulting in gum disease.

Alcohol can also directly irritate the mouth’s soft tissues. This irritation can lead to inflammation and contribute to tissue breakdown of gum tissue, making it more vulnerable to disease.

Alcohol’s drying effect on the mouth, mentioned earlier, can increase your risk of gum disease. Reduced saliva flow creates an environment conducive to bacterial growth.

In addition, regular and excessive alcohol consumption can weaken your immune system, impairing your body’s ability to fight off infections, including oral infections.

Alcohol Can Raise the Risk of Oral Cancers

Alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for oral cancers, especially among people who drink in excessive amounts.

Indeed, in 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified alcohol as a carcinogen. Although the liver metabolizes alcohol, the main ingredient in alcoholic beverages, ethanol, immediately becomes acetaldehyde upon ingestion. “Acetaldehyde is genotoxic and causes DNA damage,” the IARC found, “particularly in the upper aerodigestive tract (head and neck, and oesophagus), leading to carcinogenic mutations.”

Even light drinkers can face a risk. But that risk increases significantly with alcohol abuse due to the combined effects of alcohol on the oral cavity.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to persistent irritation and damage to the mouth and throat tissues, creating a fertile ground in which cancerous cells can develop. When paired with other lifestyle factors, such as tobacco use, the risk increases even further.

Alcohol Can Contribute to Dental Trauma

Alcohol is bad for your teeth, at least potentially, in another way. Because it impairs balance, coordination, and judgment, alcohol is frequently a factor in falls and car accidents. Such incidents can lead, among other consequences, to injuries to the teeth, mouth, and jaw.

Excessive alcohol use is often associated with such risk-taking behaviors as engaging in fights or neglecting to use protective gear during contact sports. All such behaviors heighten the risk of oral trauma.

PDFP Can Help You Address Alcohol’s Effects on Teeth

The relationship between alcohol and teeth poses both direct and indirect threats to your oral health. However, if you drink, you can do several things to mitigate your risk:

• Limit Your Sugar Intake
  Choose sugar-free mixers in cocktails. If drinking sugary alcoholic beverages, try using a straw to minimize their contact with your teeth.
• Opt for Less Acidic Drinks
  Choose beverages with lower acidity levels (for instance, wine tends to be less acidic than certain cocktails). When possible, use larger amounts of soda water in mixed drinks to dilute their acidity.
• Stay Hydrated
  To fight dry mouth, alternate alcoholic beverages with water. This practice will help keep your mouth moist and reduce alcohol’s dehydrating effects.
• Rinse Your Mouth
  After drinking alcohol, rinse your mouth with water to wash away sugar and acid residues. Avoid brushing your teeth immediately; brushing too soon will spread acids on your softened enamel.
• Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
  Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles. Consider using toothpaste that strengthens enamel to counteract erosion from acidic drinks.

Finally, don’t forget to make and stick to a schedule of routine visits to PDFP. Regular professional cleanings help remove tartar buildup and allow your dentist to catch any early signs of tooth decay or gum issues.

Is alcohol bad for your teeth? Again, it can be—but you don’t have to let it derail your oral health or sabotage your smile. Get your appointment now to ensure your teeth and mouth get the care and protection they deserve.