The impact of alcohol on dental health

Enjoying a drink now and then is part of many people’s social lives, but alcohol can have some surprising effects on your teeth and gums.

From staining and tooth decay to increasing your risk of oral cancer, understanding how alcohol affects your mouth can help you make more informed choices.

There is a strong link between alcohol and poor oral health.

“Alcohol specifically affects your oral health in several ways,” says Bupa’s Head Dentist, Dr Cathryn Madden.

These include:

People who drink large amounts of alcohol are at a higher risk of developing tooth decay.³

“Drinking alcohol can make you dehydrated. This results in your body making less saliva, causing dry mouth,” says Cathryn.

“Saliva helps protect the teeth against acidic and sugary drinks. Alcoholic drinks are often both. If there isn’t enough saliva in your mouth to protect against these, it can cause tooth decay.”

Alcohol can cause inflammation in the gum tissues, which can destroy the gums and bone.

Drinking a lot of alcohol can also weaken the immune system which makes it harder to fight off the infections that cause gum disease.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol can cause vomiting and acid reflux.

“The stomach acids that enter the mouth from vomiting and reflux are damaging to teeth,” says Cathryn. “If vomiting or reflux happens too often, it can cause the protective enamel to dissolve. This is also known as tooth erosion. It can cause teeth to become sensitive or painful.”

“Some alcoholic drinks, such as red wine, can also cause ‘extrinsic’ stains on the outside surface of your teeth,” says Cathryn. “A professional dental treatment may be needed to remove these stains.”

Oral cancer is 6 times more common in people who drink alcohol than in those who do not.⁴

“Long term drinking of alcohol can increase your risk of developing oral cancer,” says Cathryn. “It’s not the amount of alcohol that you drink at a time, but long-term drinking of one or more alcoholic drinks per day that increases your cancer risk.”

“From a dental health perspective, the worst alcoholic drinks are those that are high in sugar and acidity,” says Cathryn. “These can erode tooth enamel and lead to decay.”

These drinks and mixers can be particularly damaging to your teeth:

• Wine: Sweeter wines can be particularly damaging due to their high sugar content and acidity.
• Pre-mixed drinks and cocktails: Combining sugary sodas or energy drinks with alcohol can be particularly harmful to your teeth.
• Soft drinks: High sugar and acidity can erode tooth enamel and lead to decay.
• Energy Drinks: High caffeine and sugar content, as well as acidity, can damage enamel.
• Fruit Juices: High sugar content and acidity can harm teeth.

Consider these low-sugar alternatives:

• Vodka with soda water and lime
• Tequila on the rocks with a splash of grapefruit juice
• Whiskey or Vodka neat or on ice
• Gin with diet tonic or soda water, and a twist of cucumber
• Dry red or white wine

“When drinking alcohol, it’s important to frequently drink water to stay hydrated,” says Cathryn.

“This can reduce dry mouth and protect against tooth decay. Chewing sugar-free gum between drinks can also stimulate saliva flow. When drinking acidic or sugary drinks, using a straw will minimise the effects on your teeth.”

“It’s best to brush and floss your teeth before drinking any alcohol,” advises Cathryn. “Brushing immediately after consuming acidic or sugary drinks can make enamel erosion worse, so wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before doing so.”

After vomiting or experiencing reflux, it’s a good idea to wait one hour before brushing your teeth.

“The stomach acid makes the outside layer of the tooth soft, so brushing your teeth too soon can cause more damage. You may like to rinse your mouth out with tap water or a fluoride mouthwash, or chew sugar-free chewing gum.”

Clean Slate Clinic offers a range of treatments for dependence on alcohol, stimulants, cannabis and other drugs.

Alcoholics Anonymous offers free recovery programs around Australia.