Alcohol and binge drinking?
The sugar in alcohol (including beer) and the acid on other alcoholic drinks are the two main threats to your teeth and gums.
The Damage
Sugar and acid attack tooth enamel and leave your teeth vulnerable to tooth decay. Alcohol abuse puts you at a higher risk of developing mouth and throat cancer. Arriving home drunk means you are more likely to go to bed without cleaning your teeth again leaving the very things that lead to decay in contact with your teeth at a time when they are most vulnerable. Vomiting also floods your mouth with tooth-eroding stomach acid.
What should you do
Before a night out leave your toothbrush on your pillow to remind yourself to brush your teeth before going to bed.
While you are out drinking, intermittently drink water and swish it around your mouth to increase saliva flow and rinse away sugars and acid in your mouth. Swishing after each alcoholic drink is an easy way to remember. Alternating alcoholic drinks with water also helps to minimise the after effects of a big night out and keeps you well hydrated.
On your way home, chew sugar free chewing gum to stimulate saliva flow that helps neutralise mouth acid as well as clearing the mouth of harmful sugars and acid.
