It has been widely suggested through experiments and research studies that alcohol drinkers have an altered mouth microbiome. The number of bacteria causing mouth diseases has likely been found to be increased in heavy drinkers.
How alcohol destroys dental health.
Drinking alcohol has two mechanisms of action by which it destroys dental health:
- Creating an imbalance between the good and bad mouth bacteria, usually, decreases the number of gum projecting bacteria Lactobacillus’s thus causing gum bleeding and other problems.
- Alcohol drinking is thought to decrease the saliva flow rate. The reduced saliva flow causes many dental health problems like dental caries and mucosal lesions.
These are the main mechanisms by which alcohol drinking affects dental health.
Effects of alcohol drinking on dental health
Heavy alcohol drinking is known for causing deleterious effects on the whole-body systems especially dental health. The high sugary and acidic content of the alcohol counts for its bad effects on dental hygiene. The effects of alcohol on dental health are stated below:
- Bleeding gums
People who heavily intake alcohol are noticed to have bleeding gums. Actually, alcohol intake destroys the good bacteria of the mouth that are responsible for the protection of the gums. In the absence of these bacteria, the gums can swell and start bleeding. It is a dangerous dental health condition because the bleeding gums allow the toxins to enter the bloodstream and thus affecting general health in addition to dental health.
- Dry mouth
This is one of the distinguishing features when having excess alcohol intake. Alcohol intake serves to reduce saliva production and its flow rate thus keeping the mouth dry. Normally, moisture is required in the mouth cavity for the growth of good bacteria and the dryness of the mouth as a result of heavy alcohol intake. This prevents the nourishment of good bacteria rendering dental health at a greater risk.
- Stained teeth
Alcohols like red wine cause reddish-purple stains on the teeth. Some of these stains are permanent whereas some are temporary and can be removed by rinsing the mouth immediately after the drinking or by regular brushing. Long-term use of alcohol is observed to cause permanent pink-colored hues in the ridged pattern on the teeth. In this way, dental hygiene is completely destroyed.
- Dental decay
Alcohol consumption not only causes gum bleeding but also leads to dental decay. This dental decay occurs because the proper quantity of saliva for bathing the teeth is not available, so the plaques build up on the teeth. In these plaques, there are bacteria breed and produce acids that destroy the teeth’ enamel and cause permanent dental decay.
