For most of us, alcohol and Christmas go hand in hand. After all, we’ve earned it. However, when drinking it is important for us to remember the impact of alcohol on your teeth. Luckily, however, a great dental routine and a trip to your favourite Brisbane City Dentist – Bite Dental Studios – will ensure we keep the impacts of alcohol at bay.
Sugar Content in Alcohol
Sugar is a well-known enemy of your teeth, causing cavities and tooth decay. This is because the bacteria in your mouth live on sugar, so drinking sweet alcoholic drinks will help this bacteria to thrive.
When you can, it is therefore helpful to opt for drinks that have lower sugar content. For instance, 125ml of champagne has roughly a quarter of a teaspoon of sugar, however, the same amount of sparkling wine has 2.25 teaspoons of sugar.
Dehydration and Alcohol
Dehydration is also a famous side effect of alcohol, and our hangovers are often friendly reminders of this. This dehydration can lead to a decrease in saliva. Saliva works by naturally wash away bacteria in your mouth. However, thanks to alcohol and dehydration, bacteria is no longer washed away, and can instead stick to your tooth enamel and increase your risk of tooth decay.
For your head and for your teeth, it is important to alternate your alcohol with a glass of water. This will replenish your saliva and keep your mouth clean.
Teeth-Staining and Alcohol
We all want beautiful white teeth for our Christmas photos. However, when you drink heavily coloured alcohol, you can end up with stained teeth. Drinks such as red wine will not only turn your teeth red but can cause long-lasting discoloration and dullness. If your teeth become stained, we can rectify this using Zoom! Teeth whitening or take-home teeth whitening trays.
At Bite Dental Studios Queen Street, we wholeheartedly encourage you to enjoy this festive season. However, we also encourage you to consider your oral health during this time, by taking small steps to help out your beautiful smile.
Right now, we are offering new patients a full check-up for $99. This involves a consultation with a dentist, a full check-up exam, and any necessary x-rays. You will be able to improve your oral health at your favourite dentist in Brisbane City.