Alcohol And Oral Health

Alcohol can increase your risk for various diseases, but there’s one more reason to be more cautious about your intake. According to a study conducted in 2018, drinking could have other effects on your mouth.

Inside the mouth are over 700 types of bacterial species, collectively referred to as the oral microbiome. These bacteria species have different functions or responsibilities to perform.

The researchers aimed to find out whether alcohol intake can cause changes to the bacterial species in the mouth.

The study participants

The researchers studied spit samples from 1,044 healthy adult participants ages 55-87, all were also participating in an ongoing two cancer prevention trials at the time of the research.

The participants also shared information on their drinking levels and the alcoholic beverage of choice. Researchers used the data to understand which bacteria are present in the mouth of those who drink and those who don’t, as well as which bacteria can’t develop properly.

Among the 1,044 participants, 270 were non-drinkers, 614 were moderate drinkers, and 160 were heavy drinkers. Also, 13% or 101 of the participants only drink wine, while 5% or 39 only take beer, and 3.4% or 26 only consume liquor.

The results of the study

The team of researchers found that the types and composition of oral bacteria between heavy and non-drinkers were significantly different. The higher the alcohol consumption, the higher the level of potentially harmful oral bacteria. Good bacteria levels also tended to decrease with higher alcohol intake.

According to the researchers, further studies are needed to identify the impact of certain alcoholic beverages on the development of oral bacteria. Although consuming alcohol, heavy drinking, in particular, can affect the composition of the oral microbiome.

Keeping the mouth healthy

The mouth is naturally filled with good and bad bacteria, and they start establishing at birth.

They can be found not only on the tongue but also on the teeth and gums. Certain types of bacteria are linked to dental issues, such as the Streptococcus mutans, which is identified with tooth decay.

Whether drinking can cause the growth or spread of disease-causing bacteria remains a question. Researchers have seen associations in their study, but we are yet to find out which specific bacteria reproduce or decrease with drinking.

Other factors could also impact the mouth of alcohol drinkers, such as the type of food they’re eating, their habits, and the medications they’re taking.

One thing is for sure, though. Maintaining good dental hygiene habits and seeing your dentist regularly for check-ups and hygiene cleanings will help keep your mouth healthy.