The Effects of Alcoholism on Your Mouth

Most people know that alcoholism is bad for the body. Long-term abuse of alcoholic beverages can lead to many problems, including weight gain, liver trouble, sluggish mental capacity, and many other issues. However, fewer people realize that the consumption of alcoholic beverages can lead to problems inside your mouth as well.

Alcohol is not the only substance that can cause problems with your mouth. Prescription drugs can also have many adverse effects on the mouth that have been documented in many studies. Most medications indicate the possible side effects on the package, but if you are extremely concerned, you can talk with a doctor or other health care professional to identify the precise risks for your mouth for any medications you are currently taking.

Side Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Your mouth is a delicate system that has a unique balance designed to keep your teeth healthy. Saliva is designed to neutralize the acid that we ingest through food and drink. Too much alcohol in the mouth of any kind- even rinsing alcohols such as the kind found in many mouthwashes- can upset this delicate balance and cause problems in the mouth ranging from mild to severe.A 2003 study published in Best Practice and Research Journal for Clinical Gastroenterology linked many mouth problems with the over-indulgence of alcohol in any form. Some of the most common problems associated with the consumption of alcoholic beverages include:

• Swollen gums

• Bleeding sores

• Reduced saliva production

• Tooth decay

• Irritated mouth lining

• Chronic mouth infections due to the presence of pathological microbes

• Mouth cancer

For the most part, all of these problems are caused by the acid inside the alcohol. The presence of too much alcohol is damaging to the mouth as it upsets the natural functions of the mouth. If a person goes for several hours without rinsing their mouth or brushing their teeth, as is often the case with heavy alcohol drinkers, this can worsen the problem.The best way to prevent these mouth problems is to monitor the consumption of alcohol carefully. Always rinse your mouth out after drinking alcohol and keep your teeth clean with regular brushing. Avoid mouth rinses containing alcohol, as this can make the problem worse.

Side Effects of Prescription Drugs

Many prescription drugs can also upset the delicate balance of the mouth. Research conducted by Dr. Mercola and the American Dental Association shows that many prescription drugs can cause problems in the mouth. Similarly to the side effects of alcohol, many medicines cause the natural balance of the mouth to become out of balance, which can lead to many problems in the mouth, such as:

• Dry mouth

• Swollen tongue

• Bleeding gums

• Mouth sores

• Tooth decay

• Fungal infections

Depending on the type of prescription medication you take, you may find varying problems in your mouth. One of the biggest challenges to oral health is the use of inhaled medicines. Inhaled medicines can cause the unwanted spread of fungal infections in the mouth due to the reaction of the medicine and the saliva in your body. Other medicines are more likely to cause the other side effects.Just like with alcohol, the best way to avoid the side effects of the medication is to keep your mouth as clean as possible. Always rinse out your mouth and brush your teeth after taking medications, and avoid adding alcohol into your mouth after taking medications.

This will help prevent some of the decay inside your mouth. Your dentist may also be able to recommend some supplements you can take to reduce the side effects of prescription medication.Any substance that you place inside your body has an effect on your body’s systems. Alcohol and prescription medications are no exception. To keep your mouth healthy, extreme care should be taken to restore the natural balance inside your mouth to prevent serious problems from occurring.

This guest post has been contributed by Nick Levitan. Nick is interested in, as well as very concerned by the many issues associated with alcoholism and the abuse of prescription drugs, while they can do great damage to ones mouth, their negative effects can be far more wide reaching. For more information on the subject please look at this www.gulfcoastdrugrehab.com.