On a night out with friends, the last thing we’re probably thinking about is our teeth. Instead, we worry about alcohol’s effect on our skin, or our stomachs’without realizing that alcohol can actually have a serious effect on our enamel too. The effects of alcohol worsen when we consider how it’s drunken’usually over a period of several hours, with little to no water in between. Those who forget to brush their teeth after a night of drinking face even worse effects, as the sugars and acids from alcohol sit on their teeth overnight.
If you’re planning to enroll in dental assistant courses, read on for a brief guide on how you can advise your patients to protect their oral health when they drink alcohol.
Dental Assistants Say Don’t Be Fooled by Red and White Wine
Many people opt to drink red or white wine on an evening out because they believe it’s healthier. While red white does contain resveratrol, which has anti-aging properties, the beverage doesn’t fare as well for your teeth.
Many people consider white wine to be the better option for our teeth, however this is largely untrue. Due to white wine being more acidic than red, scientists have found that sipping a glass over the course of the evening makes the teeth more vulnerable to chromogens, which actively discolour teeth.
For anyone trying to opt for a healthier option, dental assistants recommend drinking drier red wines, alongside a glass of water.
Any Spirit Mixed with Soda Will Soften Tooth Enamel
Any student attending dental assistant college already knows that soda is one of the worst beverages for your teeth. Acids within soda such as phosphate and citric acid wear the enamel, making it more susceptible to plaque and bacteria which eat away at the tooth.
When we consume alcohol, we become dehydrated, and in turn produce less saliva. When alcohol is then paired with soda, our mouths become too dry to wash away the acid and sugar that soda contains. The result is that our enamel wears away even faster than usual.
Acidic Alcoholic Ciders Are a Dentist’s Nightmare
Ciders are usually tangy, fruity and sugary, which one can guess is probably not going to fare well for your teeth. Ciders, along with wines, have a pH of approximately 3, meanwhile, our mouths have a neutral pH. This means our saliva works extra hard to neutralize the acids from cider, especially during a prolonged evening of enjoyment.
Students who graduate from dental assisting courses should recommend that patients with weak enamel sip water alongside any cider beverage they consume. This will help wash away acids, and as a bonus, keep you hydrated!
Dental Hygienists Say Stick with Beer
Cider’s close cousin beer on the other hand, is one of the best drinks for your teeth, with a relatively low acidity and a high water content which can flush away sugars and acids.
On top of this, scientists have recently discovered that hops’a common ingredient in beer, contains polyphenols, which actively work to reduce plaque in the mouth and protect teeth against decay and gingivitis. Beer also contains silicon, which helps mineralize the teeth and prevent tooth loss! Next time you decide to indulge in a cocktail, dental hygienists suggest sticking with a brew instead’your teeth with thank you!
Do you want to become a registered dental assistant? Check out our 42-week diploma program to learn more or to speak with an advisor.
