I recently attended an all-day Oral Pathology Seminar, and received a lot of good information on bisphosphonates (prescription drugs that postmenopausal women are often put on, such as Reclast or Zometa).
Research has shown that 16oz of beer is better than a bisphosphonate for postmenopausal women. Beer is a good food source for bone health, and why beer is good for your teeth – just 16oz of beer per day will help with osteoporosis & increase bone density because beer has a good silicon absorption rate (8mcg is found in 16oz of beer ) which increases protection against the disease. Because of this, when drinking, ales are better than lagers for bone health. This is all coming from Cambridge University.
However, too much beer, wine, and hard alcohol leads to tooth erosion, dry mouth, & increases the odds of oral cancer (75-80% of oral cancer patients are drinkers). Dry mouth produces bad breath, which is due to the decrease in saliva (alcohol is a diuretic, leading to dehydration). Additionally, sugary, bubbly alcohols are the worst, meaning champagne is harder on your teeth than wine. Fact: White wine is more acidic than red, so it can also stain your teeth by sticking to the plaque that’s already there. Further, if you’re on blood thinners, stay away from the bubbly drinks because the carbonation disrupts the clotting.
Best way to prevent stains & tooth erosion:
1) Eat smart — celery & cheese, are good snacks to clean/coat teeth while drinking
2) Take breaks between tastings — allows saliva to form & give mouth natural rinse
3) Rinse with water after drinking
4) Chew sugar free gum for 20 minutes
5) Hold off on brushing teeth for 30 minutes if using an abrasive paste (it’s better to brush with just water)
6) Best to brush before drinking — beer adheres to plaque that’s already on your teeth
7) Best to drink thru a straw, but I realize it doesn’t taste the best!
For more information or to make an appointment, please call my office: 619-285-1200 or visit my website.
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