It may only be Tuesday, but it’s almost five o’clock, and you can hear those happy hour specials calling your name. Before you hit the bar with your coworkers, however, you should take a few minutes to think about how alcohol impacts your smile. In this post, your cosmetic dentist in Milford explains what happens to your teeth when you drink and outlines your best choices the next time you go to the bar.
What Alcohol Does
Alcohol can have several detrimental effects on your smile. First, most alcoholic beverages are high in acidity. Acid wears away dental enamel and strips minerals from your teeth, making your smile much more susceptible to decay. Alcohol also dehydrates, and that dry mouth feeling you get after a few drinks isn’t just unpleasant; it’s bad for your teeth, too. Without proper saliva production, your mouth can’t wash away bits of food, plaque, and remnants of your beverage. The longer these substances sit in your mouth, the higher your risk for decay and cavities. Many dark colored beverages, such as wine and dark, malty beers, lead to dental discoloration, especially when consumed on a regular basis. Finally, alcohol is high in sugar, and even unsweetened drinks can have the same effects on your teeth as candy or other sweets.
Best and Worst Choices at the Bar
Even knowing all this, it may be hard to resist the call of happy hour, especially when all your coworkers are headed out the door. However, by making good choices, you can minimize alcohol’s negative effects on your smile. First, while alcohol isn’t good for your teeth, soda is even worse. Not only is it full of sugar, the acidity level is through the roof! When it comes to mixers, juice, soda water, or plain water is a better choice. Secondly, beer could actually be your best choice. Although it still can be high in acidity, the pH levels are lower than other alcoholic beverages. Some experts also believe that barley and hops can help kill bacteria and prevent tooth decay. Finally, while red wine can stain your teeth, if you regularly imbibe, white wine can actually have a more detrimental effect on your smile. The higher acidity level can remove enamel and, ultimately, make your teeth more susceptible to long term discoloration.
Drink Smart
Of course, no matter what beverage you order, you should drink in moderation. Not only is this good for your teeth; it’s good for your physical health and safety, as well. Be sure to drink plenty of water during and after your alcoholic beverage. This can help to wash away sugar and bacteria, minimizing the dehydrating effects of alcohol. If do choose a soda as your mixer, try drinking it through a straw. The sugar and carbonation will still come in contact with your teeth, of course, but it can help to minimize the damage. Finally, brush your teeth about 30 minutes after you drink. By waiting half an hour, you allow the acidity to neutralize, and you will reap the most benefit from brushing.
To book a teeth whitening appointment or a dental cleaning, call Sensitive Care Cosmetic & Family Dentistry at 203-878-6699. We are proud to serve patients in Milford and the surrounding areas.