The increased accessibility of sugary, sweetened and non-nutritious snacks is an ongoing health concern for dentists. These foods generally have little nutritional value and, over time, can cause serious issues for your teeth.
Dr Joe Oliver is a pioneer in the field of cosmetic dentistry, and is known as one of London’s most experienced and reputable aesthetic dentists.
With over 30 years of experience, Dr Oliver has placed over 40,000 veneers, and has treated celebrities such as Helena Bonham Carter, Sophie Ellis Bextor, and Olivia Atwood.
Here, he shares 5 dietary habits that can lead to tooth problems.
Malnutrition – malnutrition has little to do with how much food you eat, but rather how few nutrients you’re getting. It’s very possible to eat a lot, but get very little out of it in the way of vital nutrients. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to resist infection which may contribute to periodontal disease, a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
An unbalanced diet – a balanced diet consists of eating foods from each of the five major food groups and a limited number of nutritious snacks. Missing out on important nutrients and filling your mouth with harmful alternatives will negatively affect your oral health, not to mention your overall wellbeing.
Sugary foods – most foods contain some type of sugar but added sugars (such as those found in sweets and sodas) contain far more than is needed for a healthy diet. Sugar is one of the single biggest contributors to tooth decay!
Sticky or chewy foods – foods that cling to your teeth promote tooth decay, so when you snack, avoid soft, sweet, sticky foods such as cakes, candy and dried fruits. Instead, choose alternatives such as nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese and sugarless gum or candy.
Fermentable carbohydrates – to limit their harmful effects on your teeth, carbohydrates are best eaten as part of a meal instead of by themselves. Combinations of foods neutralise acids in the mouth and inhibit tooth decay.
If your dietary habits are causing oral health issues, get in touch with our world-class team today for a consultation!
Alcohol can have a negative impact on your oral health and may also be bad for your teeth. It’s important to understand the effects of alcohol on your teeth and gums, as well as how to prevent damage from occurring.
We’ll explore the role of alcohol in dental health and provide some tips to help you maintain good oral hygiene while drinking.
Dr Joe Oliver has been a practising dentist for over three decades and has fitted more than 40,000 veneers. He is highly recommended by clients, both current and past, boasting consistent 5-star ratings.
He’s had the distinguished privilege of providing his services to celebrities like Helena Bonham Carter, Sophie Ellis Bextor and Greg Rusedski, and has been featured on Channel 4’s Ten Years Younger, as well as in many popular publications including The Sunday Times and Vogue.
Excessive consumption of alcohol has numerous negative impacts on oral health, such as increasing the risk of oral cancer, cavities, and tooth enamel erosion.
The danger of experiencing physical injury while intoxicated is also greater than when sober due to its effects on your coordination, which increases the likelihood of accidentally slipping, tripping or getting into an accident.
Alcohol abuse and tooth decay
Alcohol abuse has serious implications for your oral health – it increases the amount of plaque in your mouth and heightens the risk of periodontal disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and mouth sores.
Chronic alcohol abuse can also increase your chances of developing cancer in your mouth. So poor dental hygiene may be the least of your worries if your alcohol consumption levels are excessively high.
How does drinking alcohol affect my teeth and oral health?
Regular alcohol consumption can heighten the chances of developing gum disease, and for people already living with it, drinking can worsen the symptoms. Bacteria that cause tooth decay tend to spread even faster when a person has a dry mouth condition due to alcohol intake.
If alcohol abuse also results in vomiting, this can also be problematic for your teeth and oral health. Repeated vomiting can erode tooth enamel so much that it creates a cavity, just as it would with eating sugary food and drinking sugary drinks. This can make your teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to decay. A sign of dental decay may be bleeding gums when brushing.
Does drinking alcohol affect my tongue?
Excessive drinking can cause inflammation of the tongue and gums, as well as angular cheilitis. The early signs are a sore and smooth tongue, coupled with other painful symptoms.
Alcohol consumption can result in dehydration of the entire body and, as a result, dry out the mouth. This drying effect can lead to a white tongue, which is an inflammation of the papillae accompanied by a buildup of dead cells and bacteria. This leads to a white layer on the surface of the tongue.
Does alcohol increase my chances of gum disease?
Poor dental hygiene is usually the primary factor that leads to gum disease. Inadequate brushing or flossing can result in plaque accumulation on the teeth, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria and other harmful substances.
Since alcohol exacerbates your oral health risks, it can be a contributing factor in developing gum disease. The good news is that stopping heavy drinking or reducing your alcohol intake can reverse the damage and lessen the risk of gum disease.
Alcohol abuse and teeth-grinding
Alcohol can negatively affect the quality of sleep by changing the brain’s neurotransmitters and causing your muscles to tense up, thus resulting in nighttime teeth grinding. Additionally, dehydration which is a common side-effect of heavy drinking may also contribute to teeth grinding.
Constant grinding of teeth can lead to various dental issues such as fracturing, loosening, or even loss of teeth. The constant friction may reduce the height and shape of the teeth too. To address these issues, a dentist may need to use bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures and in some extreme cases even complete dentures.
How can I protect my teeth and gums from alcohol?
Alcoholic beverages can be as problematic for the teeth as sugary foods, and in some cases even more so. To prevent long-term tooth decay, you should consider reducing your intake of alcoholic drinks or choosing beverages with lower sugar content.
To protect your teeth and gums from alcohol, it’s important to practise good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding sugary drinks, limiting your alcohol intake, and drinking plenty of water. Avoid heavily coloured alcohol and when you’re not drinking, chew sugar-free gum to help with saliva flow in the mouth – this acts as the body’s natural antibacterial cleanser.
Regular dental checkups can help identify any problems early on so you can take steps to prevent further damage. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy despite the occasional alcoholic beverage.
Get in touch
Please contact the clinic if you would like to make an appointment for treatment at any of our clinics in London or Manchester.
Sometimes, good intentions aren’t always the best choices. You can think you have the perfect hygiene routine and diet for your teeth, but there may be small mistakes you are making that are essentially working in the opposite way where your teeth are concerned.
Below, Dr Joe Oliver, who has worked with a variety of celebrity clients, shares how everyday habits could actually be negatively affecting your teeth.
1. Brushing your teeth after breakfast. It’s logical to think the best time to brush your teeth in the morning is after you’ve had your coffee and toast. But it’s really more beneficial to brush your teeth as soon as you wake up, to eliminate all the bacteria which has formed overnight. You should then rinse your mouth with mouthwash after eating breakfast.
2. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Brushing your teeth as hard as possible with a rough bristled brush may appear a good way to get rid of stains and plaque, but it could actually be counterproductive. A hard brush can damage your gums and protective tooth enamel. It’s much better to use a semi-soft toothbrush instead for the best results.
3. Flossing after brushing. Flossing is great in removing food debris in between teeth, but it should be done before you brush them. Flossing before and not after means your teeth are as clean as can be.
4. Regular snacking. Eating in between meals is inevitable, and there’s nothing wrong with it. But you need to ensure that your snacks are healthy options which benefit the teeth, such as crunchy vegetables or unsalted nuts. Unhealthy snacking on sugary products means you’re exposing your teeth to more bacteria between main meals, which also encourages more plaque to develop. This can lead to decay and even tooth loss, which is a problem that is completely avoidable! If you’ve suffered a tooth loss or two, learn more about your options to restore your smile.
5. Using your teeth as a tool. It may seem like a great party trick when someone uses their teeth as a bottle opener, or you cut the Sellotape using your teeth when you’re busy wrapping presents. But using your teeth to open things or using them in any way which isn’t to chew your food can eventually wear away the teeth – or even chip and break them.
If you think you may have already caused some damage, book in for a consultation with Dr Joe Oliver here. Learn more about the variety of cosmetic treatments Dr Joe Oliver offers here.
Interested in more top dental tips? Check out the rest of our blog here!
Contact us
Our friendly, knowledgeable team are here to help. The Oliver Cosmetic Dental Clinic’s are located in London, Mayfair and Manchester.
