Alcohol and Oral Health: Protect Your Smile
Alcohol's Impact on Oral Health
June was Oral Health Month, so I wanted to share about a real-life health scare I experienced because of my past extreme drinking, and to discuss the effects that drinking alcohol has on your teeth and mouth.
In 2018, when my drinking left the gray area and entered the danger zone, my health began to decline quite quickly. I was suffering from many brutal health issues, such as gastritis, an inflamed pancreas, erratic blood sugar, high cortisol levels, puffiness in my face and body, plus other alcohol-related health problems. 😣
MY gAD (Gray Area Drinking Days)…
Unhealthy, puffy, and smiling to hide the truth.
It was at this time that I needed an emergency root canal.
The pain started on a Friday afternoon but was manageable, so I planned to go to the dentist on Monday. Unfortunately, the pain escalated, and by Saturday morning, I was in intense pain. Thankfully, Evan found a dentist who could make an emergency appointment for me. She cleaned out a bad infection and provided a temporary solution to hold me over until I could have a proper root canal the following week.
It was a nightmare and a really expensive ordeal. Despite feeling terrible, I was so relieved to have received urgent medical attention. 🙏🏻
Before this incident, I’d had near-perfect dental health my whole life.
MY Dental Emergency!
The images below capture my nightmare. A temporary solution to reduce pain until my root canal the following week. Next day, still in agony suffering the effects of yesterday’s treatment, exhausted, clearly swollen, and dealing with intense cravings, 😣 but determined to push through and attend a charity event I had committed to. Then, a few days after, I was back at the dentist for the official root canal.
POST-TREATMENT FOLLOW UP
10 days post-treatment.
So, how did drinking have such a bad effect on my teeth?
There are many negatives to dental health caused by alcohol consumption.
A big contributor for me during my heavy drinking period was not continuing my good tooth care routine. Because I was coming home drunk or blacking out – brushing my teeth or flossing before bed became impossible.
The problem went way deeper than not brushing regularly or the extreme dehydration that I was experiencing (also bad for dental health). I wasn’t taking care of myself in general. And my health was suffering as a result.
Grinding my teeth due to stress and anxiety was another contributor to my declining oral health. Thankfully, after the root canal surgery, my dentist made a custom nightguard for sleeping to stop my grinding at night.
If my jaw feels tight or I notice I’m clenching it (which I usually catch now that I’m doing all this nervous system work and I’m much more present 😌❤️🩹🧠), I use the night guard to give my teeth extra protection that night.
The Link Between Alcohol Consumption and Bad Oral Health
We know drinking alcohol can have short and long-term negative effects on the health of the body, including the brain and liver. But how does alcohol affect the health of your mouth?
Let's delve into how alcohol impacts your whole mouth and what you can do to protect your smile.
Dry Mouth and Tooth Decay From Alcohol Consumption
When you drink alcohol, your body gets dehydrated, which means you're running low on water. Less water equals less saliva. Now, saliva might not sound glamorous, but it’s your teeth's best friend. It washes away food particles and neutralizes acids. Without enough saliva, your mouth becomes a playground for decay, especially when you’re sipping on sugary cocktails or wine. A dry mouth ramps up your risk for cavities.
The Sugar Factor Effect on Oral Health
Many of us love a sweet drink, but alcoholic beverages are often packed with sugar. If you're sipping sugary drinks regularly, especially with a dry mouth, you're practically rolling out the red carpet for tooth decay. Research even shows heavy drinkers have way more cavities.
So, what's the fix?
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. 🙌 🚰 Drink lots of water and always brush and floss before bed.
Acidic Drinks and Tooth Erosion
Many alcoholic drinks have an acidic pH or are mixed with acidic substances like soda or fruit juice. Acidic drinks, with their low pH levels, can cause your teeth to dissolve and wear away over time—a process known as tooth erosion. Long-term alcohol consumption increases this risk, especially if you experience acid reflux or vomiting when drinking.
Tooth Staining from Red Wine
Red wine enthusiasts take note: drinking red wine can cause noticeable stains on the surface of your teeth, leaving them looking less than pearly white.
Dental Trauma Due to Drinking Alcohol
Drinking alcohol and clumsiness go hand-in-hand, which increases the risk of dental trauma, such as chipping or breaking a tooth, due to accidents or falls.
Mouth and Throat Cancer Linked to Alcohol Consumption
Drinking alcohol is a significant risk factor for mouth and throat cancer. When alcohol comes into contact with these sensitive areas, it can cause harmful changes at the cellular level. Long-term drinking can increase the risk of developing cancer by up to six times compared to non-drinkers.
Image courtesy of The Wall Street Journal, ‘How Much Alcohol Can You Drink a Week and Still Be Healthy?’
Alcohol irritates the delicate mucous membranes lining your mouth and throat. Over time, this irritation can become chronic, damaging the cells and increasing the risk of cancerous mutations.
Consuming alcohol can also cause mucous membranes to become more permeable, allowing harmful carcinogens to penetrate the tissues more easily. This is especially concerning for those who both drink and smoke, as the combination of these habits significantly increases the risk, more than either habit alone.
When your body processes alcohol (metabolizes), it produces acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical and known carcinogen. Acetaldehyde compounds the damage caused by alcohol and tobacco, making it a major factor in the high rates of mouth and throat cancers linked to drinking.
So, if you're considering cutting back or quitting alcohol altogether, your mouth, throat, and overall health will benefit greatly. ☺️
Ever since that harrowing experience with my emergency root canal surgery, I take my dental health very seriously. 😬 I’m proud to say I have a perfect record! These days, I never miss a night of brushing or flossing - EVER.
Also, I never miss a dental appointment (on average, every six months) and I switched to an electric toothbrush, which is proven to be far more effective at plaque removal than a standard brush.
I’m so grateful those days of drinking are forever behind me. 🙏🏻🙏🏻😮💨❤️🩹❤️🙌
🕊️🕊️Taking out alcohol really has made all the difference to my life, my health – and my teeth! 🙌
Cheers to a healthier lifestyle—and great oral health!
Remember, sunsets 🌅 are the new happy hour, and I’m rooting for you!
Kristin 🫶
How I Can Help You 🌅
If you want to explore an alcohol-free life or would like to improve your health, it would be my greatest pleasure to help you on your journey.
I have two different coaching options:
Health Coaching Program
Are you experiencing sickness, fatigue, depression, pain or weight issues?
If so, then your body isn’t working as it should.
There are many reasons for these health issues, and sometimes working with a Health Coach can help.
As your Health Coach, I support you through diet and lifestyle changes to help you feel the best you can and live a brighter, happier life.
Gray Area Drinking (GAD) Program
It’s challenging to change your drinking habits - especially when they’ve crept up and have been happening for a long time.
That’s where I can help you. I work holistically, focusing on your gut health, neurotransmitters, and dysregulated nervous system to calm, soothe, and get everything back in balance. I teach you coping mechanisms to deal with cravings and give you all the tools you need to live an alcohol-free life.
Take the first step to brighten your life!
Book your FREE consultation to learn more about my Health Coaching and Gray Area Drinking Coaching programs and how I can help you.
Remember…
EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BE ALCOHOL-FREE, and SUNSETS ARE THE NEW HAPPY HOUR! 🌅
Kristin ❤️ x
