CONSUMING fizzy drinks, alcohol and even sports drinks on a regular basis can have “detrimental” effects on teeth and gums, according to Kerang Dental Surgery’s Dr Behrooz Fateh.
“For fizzy drinks and sport drinks, the main culprit is, you guessed it, sugar,” Dr Fateh said.
“This little guy here is the No.1 enemy and the longer it lingers on our teeth, the more problems it can cause.
“The reason is due to the bacteria within our mouth that lives off the sugar contained within these drinks.
“This bacteria produces acid that corrodes away the enamel of the tooth.”
Dr Fateh said fizzy drinks advertised as sugar-free could still be “equally as bad” as non-sugary drinks.
“In addition to this, drinks that are acidic, for example citrus flavours, can also corrode the enamel, causing further wear and damage,” he warned.
“Now suppose carbonated or sport drinks are not your thing, suppose you prefer to settle down with a nice glass of wine or an ice-cold beer.
“Again, this is perfectly fine, but remember, everything in moderation.
“Alcohol can cause extensive amount of damage to teeth because it is highly acidic.
“Alcoholic beverages also contain a high amount of sugar – again, this little guy is very persistent – and regular intake will demineralise and corrode tooth enamel.
“Other negative effects associated with drinking that also play a role in damaging teeth include vomiting from over-drinking because the acid washes out the mouth and further corrodes the teeth.
“Do you remember even washing your mouth after a night of hard-core partying? The remaining acid that builds up in the mouth overnight causes further damage.”
Dr Fateh said another issue associated with excessive alcohol consumption was gum disease.
He said the causes included irritation to the gum tissue and a multitude of behavioural issues such as neglect to dental hygiene, nutritional deficiencies (those who consume a large amount of alcohol tend to have a poor diet) and ignoring early symptoms of gum disease.
“On top of this, did you know that alcohol causes dehydration, which consequently means less production of saliva,” Dr Fateh said.
“Saliva plays an important role in fighting back the micro-organisms present in our mouth, so lowered saliva production means increased build-up of plaque.
“Alcohol also causes damage to the cells that line the inside of our oral cavity, and excessive drinking could potentially lead to increased risk of oral cancer.
“Remember, everything in moderation.
“This will help prevent dental complications and maintain healthy teeth by limiting the risk factors.
“It is OK to wind down, but it is detrimental to binge.”
Contact Kerang Dental Surgery, 42 Wellington Street, for an appointment on 5452 1867.
Visit www.kerangdentalsurgery.com.au to view the range of dental services.
