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Did you know that drinking alcohol is one of the causes behind serious oral health issues? If you’re one of the many people who take pleasure in having an alcoholic nightcap several times a week, know that this could do more harm than good, specifically to your pearly whites! Staining and dryness are merely the two causes of alcohol that can do damage to your teeth.
The reason behind this is that alcohol has chromogens for color. These attach to the tooth enamel, and they weaken the acid in alcohol. Moreover, the high acidity and amount of sugar that most alcoholic beverages have may cause cavities and the tooth enamel’s erosion.
If you want to take care of your pearly whites, here are three drinks that are detrimental to your teeth’s health:
1. Sweet Cocktails
It’s no surprise if you adore and prefer sweet cocktails—the mixture of flavors plus they’re tasty enough that you will only taste a slight bitterness to it due to the alcohol content. Moreover, they’re fun to drink, especially for women. However, sugary fruit juices, soda, and syrups in the cocktail expose your teeth to a huge amount of acidity that can affect your tooth’s enamel hardness, which could lead to tooth sensitivity.
2. Sweet White Wine
Another alcoholic beverage with a high sugar content damaging to your dental health is sweet white wine. The thing about drinking wine is that we tend to drink it for long periods; therefore, it doesn’t give the mouth time to rebalance, and this puts the teeth at a higher risk of staining.
3. Red Wine & Champagne
Red wine isn’t only acidic, but it contains dark pigments that can stain the teeth. On the other hand, be mindful before you start popping champagne bottles! Their high-sugar content combined with all that spirit can put you at a higher risk for gum disease and tooth erosion.
Why You Should Be Cautious of What You Drink
We’re not saying you should totally avoid these alcoholic beverages, but taking them in moderation (which is good for your overall health) and knowing what you can do after will go a long way.
What you can do is to have a snack while you drink, such as cheese. This is because cheese has calcium that can prevent teeth stains. Also, make sure you stay hydrated during your drinking session as well. It is also a good idea to drink through a straw to help minimize contact with your teeth.
Furthermore, chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production to help rinse away lingering sugar on your teeth. If you want to get some alcohol in your system, opt for a beer instead. Beers are low in acid and have high water content, which can help you avoid cavities and tooth erosion.
Conclusion
You may feel like having a drink is unavoidable, especially on days when you just need one. The important point to remember is to know which drinks can put you at a higher risk of dental health problems and moderate your consumption, so you don’t sacrifice your oral health. You don’t want to be a frequent visitor at your dentist’s office; plus, dental treatments can be costly. It’s crucial to know how to take care of your teeth, especially if you often unwind with an alcoholic drink.
If you haven’t had your teeth checked, be sure to schedule an appointment with the best local dentist in Ann Arbor, MI. Dental House MI offers extensive dental treatments that will help you achieve good oral health and sparkling teeth – get in touch with us today!
