The effect of alcohol on teeth and gums

Alcohol, though enjoyed in a drunk or even in a connoisseur’s intoxicated state, is known to not only waste internal organs, but teeth as well. Alcohol is a sugar napalm bomb that, when metabolized with saliva in the mouth, turns almost immediately into plaque. And the situation gets worse because almost all drunks forget to brush their teeth after drinking a full bottle of liquor.

Gin, rummy, wine, vodka, whiskey, brandy, and all kinds of alcoholic concoctions (not to mention beer) have high concentrations of sugar. The sweet wines that have made their way into the mainstream liquor market are also taking center stage as the leading cause of plaque and tooth decay in binge-eating teens and adults. Sugar is the only catalyst in defining sweet wine from dry wine.

Grapes and apples are two of the main ingredients used in wine. Both fruits, when fermented, convert sugar into alcohol. Some of the fruit will not ferment, turning some of the extract into residual sugar, which is another danger to teeth, even at a measly 1% to 3% content, meaning even dry wine isn’t completely sugar-free . Winemakers have also been deliberately adding sugar (sucrose) to wine to increase its alcohol content.

As mentioned above, alcohol metabolizes into sugar and then plaque sugar faster than you can wake up from a hangover. The basic knowledge that we salivate more during the day than at night gives us the notion that drinking during the day is likely to speed up the decay of our teeth, regardless of whether we brush or not. Also, the chances of getting cancer are higher if a person drinks during the day, because the body’s metabolism is higher during the day.

Gum disease is also widespread among alcohol drinkers. Middle-aged men are prone to periodontal disease, gingivitis, and bad breath. The discouraging part is that men brush their teeth for only a few minutes without even gargling thoroughly. Overnight liquor stains on teeth cannot be removed with just a few brush strokes. If a drinking party can’t be avoided, be sure to bring non-alcoholic mouthwash to the event. And to better ensure your dental health, bring a toothbrush and toothpaste. It won’t hurt to come prepared.

Wine has been an essential part of the lifestyle of many people and generations to come. It is a sinful pleasure to finish off a week’s heavy workload. People likes it. Women find it refreshing. Men indulge in it. The teenagers try by all means to hook him at a party. Seniors enjoy wine tasting. But beyond the praise alcohol gets, it still doesn’t get unanimous praise from the medical world, especially dentists. So be careful.