4 Ways Alcohol May be Affecting Your Oral Health

Alcohol has been a part of human culture for centuries. It not only helps us celebrate special moments of life but also enables us to enjoy some quality time with family and friends. Some people also turn to alcohol to enhance sociability, escape problems, and for plenty of other reasons.

But alcohol also has adverse impacts on our lives. If over-consumed, it leads to addiction, poor health, and many social ills.

When it comes to the effects of alcohol on health, liver disease, heart disease, and digestive issues are some of the common health problems linked with overconsumption of alcohol. But these aren’t the only ones.

According to dentists at Prime Dental, alcohol might cause a number of issues for your gums, mouth, and teeth, some of which are as follows:

Bad breath

Though bad breath, or otherwise known as halitosis, isn’t a serious problem, it can have a significant adverse effect on your self-confidence and relationships. In some cases, it can also be a sign of an underlying problem. For those already struggling with it, alcohol can make it worse.

To manage bad breath caused by the consumption of alcohol, most emergency dentists in Mount Pleasant recommend limiting the alcohol intake and visiting your dentist for regular mouth cleaning.

Dry mouth

It’s a well-known fact that alcohol causes dehydration. With dehydration comes dry mouth, which happens when your salivary glands don’t secrete enough saliva to keep your mouth moist and fight oral bacteria.

Though occasional dry mouth isn’t a serious problem, chronic dry mouth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, which requires you to visit a dental clinic in Norvelt.

Oral cancer

Moderate to heavy alcohol users have from 3 to 9 times the risk of developing oral cancer than those who don’t drink. This is especially true if alcohol is combined with tobacco use, which increases the risk of oral cancer significantly. Usually, the higher the alcohol content of your drinks, the higher the risk of oral cancer.

Delaying dental recovery

Individuals who have recently had dental work, especially invasive treatment, should avoid drinking alcohol until their orthodontist in Mount Pleasant allows. This is because alcohol has an anticoagulant effect on blood, which prevents blood from stopping or slowing down during postoperative bleeding that may happen with incisions. This can delay or complete your recovery and may lead to other serious problems. This is why It’s best to avoid alcohol for at least 72 hours after any invasive dental treatment.

In a nutshell

While alcohol consumption does not pose serious health issues if consumed in moderation, heavy consumption can wreak havoc on the body, creating several problems, including liver disease, heart disease, and dental problems. So, make you keep your alcohol intake in moderation and enjoy every sip while it lasts.

If you are struggling with dental problems in Mount Pleasant and nearby areas, feel free to get in touch with us today.