Alcohol abuse can negatively affect your entire body, including your mouth, teeth, and gums. Dry mouth, bad breath, oral cancer, tooth decay and erosion, and gum disease are some of the issues related to alcohol abuse. Alcohol inhibits your ability to make rational decisions and good choices, which can lead to poor oral hygiene habits, eating foods that are starchy and sugary, smoking, and potential trauma to the mouth and teeth. Alcoholic drinks are also often acidic or high in sugar and alcohol can lead to dehydration.

Regular alcohol consumption can impact the levels of bacteria in your mouth. It can also lead to a weakened immune system, which can increase your risk for infections, disease, and illness. Alcohol abuse can cause dry mouth, bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease, and increase your risk for oral cancer. Limiting your alcohol consumption can benefit your entire body and mind. Thankfully, there are many resources available to help manage alcohol abuse.

Alcohol Abuse

Drinking more than the recommended amount (two drinks per day for a man and one for a woman) on a regular basis can constitute a pattern of alcohol abuse.

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used addictive substances in the world. Binge or heavy drinking on a regular basis can have highly detrimental physical, mental, and social side effects.

Resources for Managing Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse can affect all aspects of your life and body, including your oral health. There are many resources available to support those struggling with alcohol abuse. Managing alcohol abuse can be vital for your oral and overall health and well-being.Alcohol abuse resources include the following:

• NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator: Produced by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), this resource provides information on treatment options and methods as well as research on alcohol use, abuse, and its effects
• FindTreatment.gov: Operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this national link allows you to search for state-licensed treatment providers near you for help with alcohol abuse. They also provide information and resources on mental health and substance abuse.
• CDC’s Alcohol Program: Run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this program offers information on alcohol use and abuse, statistics, current research, resources for individuals and families, and treatment providers.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): This peer-based support group has chapters all over the world to provide help and guidance regarding alcohol use and abuse.

Your medical or dental provider can often help as well, offering connections to local resources and information on support groups and treatment programs to aid in the management of alcohol abuse.

Good oral hygiene and routine dental visits can help to reduce oral health issues that may have resulted from problem drinking. As you get professional help to manage your alcohol abuse issues, take time to see a dentist who can offer guidance on your oral health.

Article from byte.com
Read in full here