Well, this year is starting to wrap up. It won’t be long until 2024 arrives in force. Of course, you likely plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve with food, drinks, and fun. Still, do go easy on the wine and champagne. Alcohol doesn’t do your pearly whites good. Instead, always protect your teeth at a New Year’s party. Your Gahanna dentist will even guide you. So, here’s how to keep your smile safe from alcohol during New Year’s.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Mouth?
While great for loosening up, alcohol isn’t good for your mouth. Drinking too much can cause issues like:
Tooth Decay
Alcohol isn’t harmless to your chompers. On the contrary, it often makes them decay.
There are several reasons for this poor reaction. For starters, alcoholic drinks are highly acidic. Their acids will weaken your tooth enamel over time. Next, many wines and cocktails have plenty of sugar – the number one cause of tooth decay. Bad bacteria thrive on this carb, so sipping on an alcoholic drink can lead to plaque buildup.
Dry Mouth
While not well-known, one effect of alcohol is dehydration. Beer or wine can sap away moisture until you suffer a dry mouth.
You see, drinking alcohol causes a decrease in your saliva. This liquid normally washes away microbes from your teeth. Your mouth will dry without it, letting nasty bacteria cling to your enamel. Given time, you’ll then suffer from thirst, bad breath, and a higher risk of gum disease.
Teeth Staining
Lastly, alcohol is also a threat to your grin’s looks. Various kinds can discolor your grin if you aren’t careful.
Generally, the way alcohol stains teeth is simple. Colored alcohol like red wine, sangrias, and similar drinks have deep hues. This coloring is caused by chromogens, which attach to weakened enamel and stain your smile. The results are long-lasting discoloration and an overall dullness. Neither of these make for good New Year’s Eve photos!
How to Drink Safely on New Year’s Eve
Despite the above, you can have alcohol without harming your mouth. You just have to drink safely and in moderation. To that end, consider these tips:
- Try Low-Sugar Alcohol – If possible, opt for a dry brut champagne or a dry white wine. These choices have very little sugar.
- Stay Hydrated – Alternate your sips of alcohol with sips of water. That way, you’ll hydrate and rinse your mouth of acid and sugar.
- See Your Dentist – To keep stains from setting, see your dentist for a whitening treatment. They’ll remove discoloration before it can affect anything.
It always pays to protect your teeth at a New Year’s party. So, remember the risks and tips above!
About the Practice
Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna is based in Gahanna, OH. Led by Drs. Buller and Odenweller, our practice embodies modern and personalized dentistry. As such, we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative procedures, as well as emergency dental care. Whether you want to prevent or repair tooth damage, our team is ready and eager to help! For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (614)-475-1874.