Celebrating the New Year is a great time to be surrounded by your friends and family. It’s only natural that you and your loved ones will want to wind down with some drinks during the gathering. However, it’s important you know that alcohol can affect your smile if you overindulge. Here’s what you need to know and how to protect your grin while you venture in the year ahead.
What Does Alcohol Do to My Teeth?
While these types of beverages can help you cut loose, they have a real impact on your teeth if you aren’t careful. Many of them are often full of sugar because of additives or other drinks mixed into them. These particles feed the bacteria in your mouth. They then produce an enamel-dissolving acid that increases your risk of cavities.
Many people often forget that alcohol can also dry out your mouth. It affects how much saliva you can produce. Without being able to make adequate amounts of it, you won’t be able to naturally wash away bacteria. They’ll cling to your teeth and lead to decay the longer they linger.
Albeit staining isn’t necessarily an oral health issue, it’s a flaw that can make you self-conscious! The dark pigments can find their way into your enamel, causing a tint that can make you want to hide your smile in the photos you may take!
How Can I Keep My Smile Strong into the New Year?
In order to keep your grin the best it deserves to be into the new year coming up, you should take time to protect it now. Thankfully, there are easy tips you can follow, such as:
- Brush your teeth before the event. This can help get rid of any plaque that can increase stains while reinforcing your enamel. About 30 minutes after you stop drinking, then do this habit again to get rid of any particles left behind.
- Take sips of water in between your other beverages. This will keep your mouth hydrated while rinsing away sugars and acids.
- Visit your dentist after all the festivities are over! They will be able to see the state of your smile afterward and find any oral health issues that might’ve popped up. By catching them early, you can get minor treatments instead of more in-depth ones.
Keep these tips in mind while you celebrate the New Year! That way, you can stay in the moment without worrying about harming your smile.
About the Practice
At Sunrise Dental Center, you benefit from a compassionate team of dentists who look after you and your grin. We are here to help you avoid dental problems during this time of the year and beyond. If there are any issues, we are happy to use state-of-the-art technology to give you effective restorative treatments. If you want to get a checkup before the year ends or afterwards, schedule an appointment or call our office at (713) 869-9973.
