The consequences of alcohol on dental health

Alcohol is the second most consumed drug in several countries and its consequences are greater than harmful for dental health. This signifies that we must listen not only to alcoholism as such, but in addition to recreational use that exceeds secure limits.

Since it’s such a standardized substance, consumption of alcohol in recreational contexts is accepted by just about all of society. What few know is that over time, alcohol affects dental health.

Oral cancer, cavities, periodontal disease, oral lichen planus, halitosis, surface wear and discoloration are only a number of disorders linked to alcoholism. We must also not forget maxillofacial trauma.

How much alcohol is dangerous for dental health?

The amount of alcohol you may drink in a day or per week to remain inside acceptable limits is a significant scientific debate. There are those that insist on complete abstinencebecause they consider this substance to be harmful even in minimal doses.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the secure limit is 1 drink per day for girls and as much as 2 for men. The institution Chief Medical Officers of the United Kingdom doesn’t lend a hand, which establishes that men and girls have the identical safety limit.

Unitary measures have been developed. 1 unit of alcohol corresponds to 10 milliliters of the pure substance or 8 grams of it. For example :

• An everyday glass of wine incorporates greater than 2 units.
• A bottle of wine incorporates 10 units.
• A pint of beer has the identical units as an everyday glass of wine.

The advice shouldn’t be to exceed 14 units of alcohol per week to fall inside acceptable ranges, even though it is known that even 1 single unit is sufficient to create damage to some extent. Pregnant women mustn’t devour alcohol.

Consuming greater than 14 units per week implies a moderate risk of bodily harm from alcohol, each when it comes to dental health and the remainder of the organs. Consumption of greater than 35 units per week is an image of addiction with very serious consequences: the person’s life is in peril via several mechanisms.

The link between alcohol and oral diseases

We already understand how harmful alcohol is to dental health and we recognize that Even a small amount is sufficient to cause illness. In other words, an individual depending on the substance shall be more in danger, but social and recreational use doesn’t exempt them from suffering consequences within the mouth.

As we’ll see below, alcohol is kind of dangerous, starting from serious pathologies like oral cancer to bad breath, which may very well be considered a non-life-threatening disorder. Let’s review essentially the most common oral diseases amongst consumers.

Oral cancer

Oral cancer is one in all the various oncological pathologies which have alcohol as a risk factor. We may cite liver and colon cancers, for instance.

The data indicates that as much as a 3rd Cancers of the oral cavity and pharyngeal cavity are linked to alcoholism. In other words, individuals who exceed the bounds of units considered low risk increase their likelihood of getting cancer.

The reason is the attack of the substance on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Although it shouldn’t be entirely clear why alcohol denigrates cells, its effect is in comparison with that of cigarettes.

Tobacco and alcohol increase free radicals present in tissues. These reactive oxygen species are able to blocking the healing mechanisms of cells and limiting their growth. Without this barrier of control, uncontrolled growth causes a tumor.

Lesions suspicious for cancer are as follows:

• Canker sores or ulcers on the liner of the mouth that don’t heal completely after per week. In other words, they develop into chronic.
• Appearance of a mass within the oral cavity which can’t be explained by one other common pathology.
• Spots on the mucous membranes that develop over time or don’t disappear.

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Caries

He was observed what alcoholics have more cavities than the remainder of the population. However, we do not know why. Although plainly there may be a direct relationship, the reality is that many aspects coexist within the lifetime of an addicted person to advertise oral problems. Poor food plan and lack of dental hygiene, in addition to dehydration, are aspects that increase the danger.

One possible explanation is that alcohol reduces saliva production by the salivary glands. And subsequently the pH of the saliva decreases.

If we add to this the mixtures that some consumers make of white drinks with other carbonated or sugary energy drinks, we obtain a super substrate for cavities. Added sugar is a transparent risk factor for everybody.

Alcohol also has the flexibility to extend the adhesion of bacteria to teeth and modify the oral microbiota. This ecosystem may be very sensitive to attacks. We know that the nice health of the whole digestive tract relies on the nice coexistence of microorganisms with humans. The mouth is not any exception.

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is the pathology that affects the tissues supporting the teeth. THE scientific evidence are clear: alcohol consumption is related to this problem.

Again, as with cavities, it’s assumed that in heavy drinking alcoholics other aspects come into play, equivalent to poor dental hygiene. In any case, bleeding gums or gingivitis are more common in those that drink more units of alcohol per week, even in the event that they don’t exceed the bounds considered secure.

The mechanism that explains the association is complex. Alcohol is able to altering the immune response of the whole body. In other words, it weakens it and reduces its ability to reply to external microbial agents. Healing can also be slower.

Periodontitis can occur as a consequence of reduced ability of the body to react bacteria that remain within the gaps or pockets across the teeth. Over time, periodontal disease sets in and tooth loss is difficult to avoid.

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Lichen plan buccal

Oral lichen planus is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth with an incidence of lower than 2% in the final population. Although its etiology is unclear, as is the case for a lot of other pathologies, alcohol is taken into account a risk factor.

In theory, this lichen is autoimmune. The body itself attacks the mucous membrane and generates the lesions. This process begins with a mechanical (equivalent to an injury), chemical (equivalent to alcohol) or biological (bacterial plaque) attack.

Sometimes it’s white, other times it’s red. It can also be not unusual for a bacterial superinfection to develop on the lesion.

Oral lichen planus could cause pain, burning, and discomfort within the mouth. Symptomatic treatment is comparatively easy, with using local or oral corticosteroids. In any case, some systemic medications could also be obligatory within the event of an exacerbation with many symptoms. It ought to be monitored due to its link to oral cancer.

Bad breath

Halitosis is bad breath that an individual may notice on themselves. When bad breath is perceived by a 3rd party, it’s stipulated that the symptom is objective and is difficult to ascertain as an indication.

Alcohol and tobacco are two substances accountable for halitosis. Often this symptom is included within the clinical parameters for suspecting alcoholism in an individual. Although, as we said, that is for illustrative purposes only. There are other causes of halitosis which are organic and reply to systemic diseases.

Bad breath brought on by alcohol is definitely brought on by combination of things, beyond the drink’s own aroma. As already stated, the consumption of the substance reduces the production of saliva, the mouth subsequently not has this self-cleaning mechanism, for instance.

In this precise case, the treatment shall be the suspension of consumption. But this is simpler said than done. The approach to addictions is multidisciplinary. In case of sunshine consumption, perhaps it is less complicated to suggest replacing drinks.

Wear and color change

Among the aesthetic consequences of alcohol on dental health is tooth discoloration. However, This doesn’t occur with all drinks.

In theory, red wine is the liquid that stains teeth essentially the most, but to a much lesser extent than tobacco, for instance. This is explained by the chromogenic substances present within the drink which adhere to dentures with a greater amount of bacterial plaque.

On the opposite hand, enamel wear as a consequence of the consumption of carbonated drinks is well documented, but there may be less evidence regarding alcohol and this effect. In any case, there are indications that the acidity generated within the mouth as a consequence of the drop in pH promotes the lack of tissue within the teeth.

Enamel wear has other consequences. In the long run, patients with this problem have the next prevalence of caries.

Maxillofacial trauma

Alcoholism is a social problem. Excessive consumption which impairs reflexes contributes to a rise in road accidents. Fights are also increasing amongst population groups with high alcohol consumption.

In these contexts, maxillary and facial trauma affect dental health. Although not directly, that is one other effect that have to be taken under consideration and which weighs heavily on health systems.

Next to half facial trauma recorded on public roads involves excessive alcohol consumption by one in all the participants. And with facial trauma, there may be a risk of breakage and complete lack of teeth.

What is the role of the dentist regarding the results of alcohol on dental health?

The consequences of alcohol on dental health indicate that motion have to be taken. Although plainly the dentist doesn’t interfere in an addiction of this kind, he does interfere.

THE scientific analyzes which have been carried out on this regard show that the straightforward suggestion to stop drinking alcohol could be enough. It is subsequently advisable to warn the patient.

The dentist has the privilege of communicating with individuals who devour an excessive amount of alcohol before doctors. Indeed, often, consultations with the dentist for mouth problems precede other interventions.

In all cases, the last word responsibility lies with you. If after reading this text you appear to be consuming more units than the suggested limit or notice health changes that may very well be as a consequence of alcohol abuse, seek skilled help.

Health professionals will find a way to guide you in reducing your consumption. The undesirable consequences on dental health as a consequence of alcohol will thus be reduced.