While tobacco use has been proven to increase the risk of developing oral cancer, those who use both tobacco and alcohol are at an exceptionally high risk of contracting the disease. These two substances are known to increase one another’s harmful effects on the body from the dehydrating effect of alcohol on cell walls enhancing the ability of tobacco carcinogens to permeate mouth tissues.

If you tend to reach for a heavily colored alcohol of choice, you increase your chances of developing stained teeth in the process. Alcoholic beverages like red wine, sangria, and hard alcohols dark in color that you sip slowly linger on your teeth long after your beverage is finished. Fight back against stained enamel by counteracting dark colored beverages with a whitening toothpaste, rinsing your mouth with water after consumption, and using whitening products on a regular basis.

One of the top side effects of consuming alcohol is how it dehydrates your body – mouth included. Because of the way alcohol dehydrates your body, you will experience a decrease in natural saliva flow which causes the harmful bacteria from food and drinks to cling to your teeth instead of being washed away naturally. Having these harmful bacteria present increases your risk of tooth decay. If you’re consuming alcohol, balance your drink ratio with a glass of water for every drink you consume to help keep your saliva flowing.

Clenching or grinding your teeth on a regular basis can harm your teeth and lead to other oral health issues. While teeth grinding can have different causes, it’s most often triggered by stress, medical conditions, or crooked or missing teeth. Grinding your teeth can get worse after drinking alcohol or caffeine, so if you already have a history of grinding your teeth in your sleep, try skipping your glass of wine before bed or your caffeinated cocktail to help reduce grinding.

Alcoholic beverages that are high in sugar content can be a major risk factor in developing tooth decay and plaque buildup. The bacteria in your mouth survives on sugary foods and drinks and consuming items that are high in sugar gives those harmful bacteria fuel to destroy and conquer your enamel. Choosing beverages that are lower in sugar can help aid in protecting your teeth, and alternating alcohol with a glass or bottle of water to help replenish the saliva in your mouth will keep your mouth cleansed.

In addition to increasing the risks of developing tooth decay, gum disease and stained teeth, heavy drinking can cause irritation of the tissues inside your mouth and can even lead to severe issues like losing teeth. Your dentist is often the first healthcare professional to detect health issues caused by the overall effects of alcohol and drug consumption.