How Alcohol Consumption Affects Oral Hygiene

By: Ethan Philip

Alcohol consumption is commonplace in modern society. Whether in formal settings, casual hangouts, bars, or colleges, alcohol is present in many social gatherings. However, frequent drinking can have a toll on physical health. Cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, and liver damage are some examples of the consequences of alcohol abuse. Recent research suggests that drinking worsens oral health as well. Studies have shown that alcohol consumption could lead to tooth stains, tooth erosion, dental injury, and many other complications.

In 2017, a Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) study investigated the relationship between alcohol dependency and oral health. The test subjects were composed of 76 alcoholics seeking psychiatry and a group of non-alcoholics who were recruited. Both groups' oral health, salivary pH, and plaque pH were evaluated. After testing was conducted, it was found that non-alcoholics had significantly better oral health. Alcohol-dependent participants had a higher prevalence of dental caries, mucosal lesions, and periodontitis. Additionally, the alcoholics had lower salivary and plaque pH than the non-alcoholics. This is concerning because lower pH allows bacteria to grow in the mouth, leading to cavities and damaged enamel.

“It is pretty much safe to say that alcohol influences the oral microbiome,” said Jiyoung Ahn, an NYU School of Medicine epidemiologist, to CNN. This statement came after Ahn led a study comparing the oral microbiome of drinkers and nondrinkers, and the results indicated a higher presence of potentially harmful bacteria in the mouths of alcoholics. Other statistics support Ahn’s statement as well. According to Penn Dental Medicine, alcohol consumption reduces saliva production, leading to dry mouth and throat. Additionally, low saliva leads to the settlement and development of bacteria in the mouth, significantly increasing the probability of permanent tooth loss. Furthermore, drinking exacerbates gum diseases, increases plaque, and leads to bleeding of gums. Alcoholism is also one of the primary causes of oral cancer, Mount Lawley Dental Clinic states. Excessive drinkers could be up to four times as likely to develop oral cancer, and as of 2023, the five-year survival rate of oral cancer is only 68% in the United States.

Though alcohol consumption is widely promoted in social settings, heavy drinking negatively impacts physical well-being. Though it is often understated, alcohol has a profound effect on oral health. Evidence shows that drinking can cause severe hygienic conditions, such as periodontitis, caries, and cancer. It is very important to be mindful of the risks that alcohol poses, and making responsible decisions will highly reduce the likelihood of health complications.

References

Alcohol and Oral Health: What You Need to Know. 2023. Penn Dental Medicine, penndentalmedicine.org/blog/is-alcohol-bad-for-your-teeth/. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.

Ducharme, Jamie. Heavy Drinking May Change the Bacteria in Your Mouth and Raise Gum Disease Risk. 2018. Time, time.com/5248223/drinking-mouth-bacteria-microbiome/. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.

How Does Alcohol Impact My Oral Health? 2022. Mount Lawley Dental Clinic, www.mountlawleydental.com.au/blog/how-does-alcohol-impact-my-oral-health#:~:text=A%202017%20comparative%20study%20of,%E2%80%93%2031.5%25%20compared%20to%2025%25. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.

1 in 5 Deaths of US Adults 20 to 49 Is from Excessive Drinking, Study Shows. CNN, 2 Nov. 2022, www.cnn.com/2022/11/01/health/drinking-deaths-us-study-wellness/index.html. Accessed 9 Sept. 2023.

Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer: Statistics. 2023. Cancer.Net, www.cancer.net/cancer-types/oral-and-oropharyngeal-cancer/statistics#:~:text=The%205%2Dyear%20relative%20survival%20rate%20for%20oral%20or%20oropharyngeal,people%2C%20it%20is%2070%25. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.

Priyanka, Kakarla, et al. Impact of Alcohol Dependency on Oral Health – a Cross-sectional Comparative Study. 2017. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2017&volume=11&issue=6&page=ZC43&issn=0973-709x&id=10058. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.