{"id":245,"date":"2022-03-13T21:56:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-13T21:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worcesterdentalimplants.com\/blog\/?p=245"},"modified":"2022-04-22T15:20:04","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T15:20:04","slug":"alcohol-and-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worcesterdentalimplants.com\/blog\/alcohol-and-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Is There a Link Between Alcohol and Gum Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"severe<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

After work, you may find it enjoyable to go home, kick off your shoes and pour yourself a glass of wine. Or maybe you prefer beer? Whatever your preference, it is fine to do in moderation, but what you may not realize is the potential danger you\u2019re putting yourself in when it comes to drinking alcohol<\/a> and its connection to gum disease. In this article, you\u2019ll learn how the two are linked and why it\u2019s better to switch to a healthier beverage and ultimately, better protect your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Your Favorite Alcoholic Beverage Can Damage Your Gums<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether it is your favorite glass of red wine, a cold beer, or a straight shot of whiskey, the more alcohol you consume, the greater accumulation of bad bacteria inside your mouth. As a result, it can increase your risk for gum disease, cancer, and heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The human body consists of trillions of bacteria and microbes, also known as the microbiome. Because there is a difference between \u201cgood\u201d and \u201cbad\u201d bacteria, it\u2019s essential that you take proper care of your mouth to keep the \u201cbad\u201d from overpowering the \u201cgood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers at NYU Langone Health in New York City discovered that the consumption of alcohol drastically changes the oral microbiome. After evaluating mouthwash samples of more than 1,000 adults in the U.S., 59% considered themselves moderate drinkers, while 15% categorized themselves as \u201cheavy\u201d drinkers. Their samples showed a lower number of good bacteria; however, additional factors were taken into consideration, such as age, oral hygiene habits, and diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, although researchers cannot definitively say that alcohol alone causes gum disease, their suggestion remains that individuals maintain optimal oral hygiene habits and practice moderation when consuming alcoholic beverages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You Can Do to Prevent Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if you\u2019re not a moderate or heavy drinker, there are things you can do to minimize your risk for gum disease. Alcohol is not the only thing that causes this harmful and dangerous condition, which is why you should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n