{"id":1218,"date":"2021-03-11T19:40:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T19:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.islandcoastdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=1218"},"modified":"2021-04-07T19:43:31","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T19:43:31","slug":"heavy-alcohol-consumption-increase-risk-of-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.islandcoastdentistry.com\/blog\/heavy-alcohol-consumption-increase-risk-of-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Drinking Alcohol Increase Your Risk of Gum Disease?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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It\u2019s common knowledge that drinking too much alcohol is bad for your health. While you probably already know that this bad habit can cause serious health issues like liver disease and high blood pressure, did you know that it puts your teeth and gums at risk as well? Studies show that heavy drinking can lead to a variety of oral health problems like gum disease, which can cause tooth loss, jawbone deterioration, and more. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about gum disease, how alcohol consumption is linked to it, and what you can do to keep your smile healthy.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Gum Disease?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gum disease is a bacterial infection in the gum tissue. It usually develops as a result of poor oral hygiene and plaque buildup. When the oral bacteria initially infect the gums, the tissue becomes inflamed and bleeds easily. This is called gingivitis, and it\u2019s the only stage of gum disease that can be reversed. If left untreated, gingivitis can advance into periodontitis. This severe stage of gum disease indicates that the infection is strong enough to permanently damage the jawbone, destroy soft tissue, and cause tooth loss. As if that weren\u2019t enough, the advanced stages of gum disease are also linked to a higher risk of systemic health conditions like heart disease, memory loss, and arthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcohol Consumption & Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recent studies indicate that heavy alcohol consumption has a significant impact on oral health, particularly a person\u2019s risk of gum disease. Researchers report that people who drink more than the recommended daily limit of alcohol had fewer \u201cgood\u201d bacteria in their mouths and more \u201cbad\u201d bacteria than nondrinkers. This \u201cbad\u201d bacteria include variants that have already been linked with gum disease, heart disease, and cancer. The more \u201cbad\u201d bacteria in your mouth, the more likely it is to infect your gums and cause serious damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, alcohol consumption slows your body\u2019s natural healing ability and hinders the immune system. This leaves your gum tissue far less capable of fighting off bacteria and infections such as gum disease. On top of all this, alcohol dries the mouth out, which allows bacteria to accumulate and grow very quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Prevent Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, health and dental experts agree that the best course of action is to limit your alcohol consumption. US health officials recommend no more than one drink a day for women and two a day for men. In conjunction with limiting your alcohol intake, there are a few other simple but important steps you can take to lower your risk of gum disease:<\/p>\n\n\n\n