St. Patrick’s Day is renowned across America as a great day to party, but a good time always comes with certain risks. While many people are only worried about dealing with a hangover when they wake up the next morning, these celebrations can also be dangerous for your oral health if you are not careful. Here’s how to protect your teeth when you hit the pub with your buddies to celebrate this festive occasion!
How Can Alcohol Hurt My Teeth?
Though alcoholic beverages are commonly served at parties, consuming them excessively is widely known to cause serious health problems. While you’ve probably heard of how drinking can lead to liver damage and car accidents, you may be unaware of how it can affect your teeth. Alcohol is acidic, and acid immediately begins to erode the protective enamel layer on your teeth upon making contact. Enamel erosion makes teeth more vulnerable to infections and injuries that can lead to tooth loss or even dangerous secondary infections like sepsis.
How Can I Protect My Teeth While Drinking?
When you’re celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day with a few rounds and a few good friends, it’s a great idea to drink generous amounts of water along with all that whiskey and beer. Water is great for your oral health because it helps to flush away harmful debris and residues from your teeth while also keeping you hydrated enough for ample saliva production. Saliva plays a key role in your dental health by helping the mouth clean itself and keeping the teeth lubricated to prevent injuries. To make matters even better, drinking plenty of water is an excellent way to prevent hangovers.
It’s also crucial to practice excellent oral hygiene after a night of drinking. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash when you get home will clear harmful acids and food debris from your teeth. Of course, you should also practice excellent oral hygiene every day of the year to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
Shenanigans are a celebrated St. Patrick’s Day tradition, but don’t let them get the better of your smile. By drinking plenty of water and practicing excellent oral hygiene, you can protect your teeth so you can smile brightly when St. Patrick’s Day comes around again next year!
About the Author
Dr. Alberto J. Lamberti earned his dental degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed a Fellowship in Implant Dentistry at the same school. He also had the honor of being an Assistant Professor at Tufts University’s Prosthodontics Department. His office in Boca Raton, FL offers general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. For more tips on keeping your teeth healthy during St. Patrick’s Day, contact his office online or dial (561) 338-7535.