Alcohol Consumption Can Harm Your Oral Health

Alcohol consumption can harm your oral health especially when it more than moderate. Heavy drinking can negatively impact the health of your whole body as well as your mouth. In particular, the effect on tooth decay and gum health can be quite dramatic. Read on to learn more about how alcohol consumption can harm your oral health.

Gum Disease

Alcohol dehydrates your body by blocking the production of ADH, which causes your kidneys to expel more water than usual. The dehydration extends to your mouth, creating the perfect conditions for the bleeding gums, gum recession, and pocket formation typical of periodontitis. This dryness of mouth is problematic because saliva serves a central protective role against oral bacteria. It neutralizes the acids the bacteria produce, washes away food particles, balances the oral microbiome Not only can periodontitis lead to tooth loss but, it also happens to be linked to a higher incidence of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Studies have shown that heavy alcohol consumption can harm your oral health by negatively impacting gum health even among people without gum disease.

Tooth Decay

Alcohol consumption can harm your oral health through its negative effect on your teeth. The conditions that allow for the acceleration of gum disease can also lead to tooth decay. Dry mouth again threatens your oral health, because it prevents saliva from being able to wash away bacteria and debris from your tooth enamel.  In this dry environment, the bacteria are able to reproduce, creating acids that cause decay. The bacterial activity is compounded, as alcohol metabolizes into sugar. Because of this, people who consume high amounts of alcohol tend to experience higher rates of tooth decay.

Alcohol consumption doesn’t have to ruin your oral health, especially if it’s moderate. That’s why it’s important to understand how it affects your body. To minimize the potential ill effects of alcohol consumption, it’s recommended that you drink water with your alcohol to replenish your saliva, and brush and floss afterward.

Improve Your Oral Health With Water Floss

Optimal oral care depends on regular dental visits and your home care routine. Regular daily brushing and flossing, combined with water flossing, dynamically reduces oral diseases such as cavities and gum disease by easily and effectively flushing food debris and plaque bacterial from between teeth and below the gumline.  Water flossers, such as the Aquapick AQ-230 and AQ-350, combine IPX7 waterproofing and ergonomic design to deliver cleaning convenience in a compact portable or space-saving countertop model. Easily adjustable cleaning modes ensure superior waterflow control and effective cleaning deep cleaning.  The addition of water flossing to your oral care routine will improve the level of your oral hygiene.

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