Published on
Updated
Reading 2 min.
After a difficult day, do you enjoy enjoying a small glass of wine? Be careful, this practice is not without risks, warns a dentist.
Liver, brain, heart, stomach… Alcohol harms all parts of the body. But did you know it’s also bad for your gums and teeth? A cosmetic dentist, interviewed by Well+Good magazine, lists the effects to be aware of.
Dental plaque, cavities and periodontitis
No offense to mojito-addicts, alcohol can cause significant damage to teeth and gums.
“On the one hand, alcohol can cause dry mouth“, he confides. “But it’s not just an unpleasant feeling. Dry mouth means you have less saliva, which generally acts as a buffer against bacteria and helps produce nutrients for healthy teeth. Less saliva turns your mouth into a more acidic environment, which can allow bacteria to overgrow and lead to a host of problems like tooth decay. he adds.
The harmful effects do not stop there. Alcohol consumption has a “negative and proportional effect“on all parts of the mouth,”from plaque buildup to bleeding gums…to the size of periodontal pockets between the gums and teeth (which can harbor bacteria and cause tissue and bone damage)” without forgetting “the presence/aggravation of periodontitis“, the dentist further explains.
Gums and alcohol: a bad combo
But that’s not all ! Excessive alcohol consumption can also harm the health of your gums in the long term. The acids produced by bacteria and those contained in alcohol can in fact “attack” the latter. Inflammation (gingivitis type), then a more serious infection can then appear.
Alcohol can also affect the immune system, making the gums more vulnerable to bacterial attack.
An increased risk of cancer
According to data from National Cancer Institutealcohol consumption also increases the risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box), with an increased risk in people who consume large amounts of alcohol.
“Most effects of alcohol are long term and depend on the type of alcohol“, Dr. Hales continues. “For example, if you prefer sugary cocktails or other sugary adult drinks, you further increase the risk of oral health problems. Red wine and other dark alcohols can cause staining and discoloration, which may worsen over time. In more serious cases, “Stronger alcohol will have greater effects on the oral cavity, such as a drier mouth and a higher risk of cancer.”warns Dr. Hales.
The right attitude to adopt, in this case? Reduce the amount of alcohol ingested at all costs.
Public Health France and the National Cancer Institute also designate consumption of more than 10 glasses of alcohol per week as excessive.
“In 2017, the scientific expertise work carried out by Public Health France and the National Cancer Institute made it possible to develop new consumption benchmarks at lower risk: if you consume alcohol, maximum 10 glasses per week, maximum 2 glasses per day, and days during the week without consumption“, precise Public Health France.