"Over the lips, past the gums, look out stomach, here it comes!" Turns out it's not quite that simple. Alcohol hits the lips, tongue, gums, and wet skin (mucosa) of the mouth on its way to the upper throat (pharynx), food pipe (esophagus), and voice box (larynx). It causes irritation to everything it touches, which is why alcohol increases the risk of cancers in ALL these locations.
According to the American Cancer Society, adding heavy alcohol to tobacco consumption and you more than double the trouble. In fact, those who smoke and drink have a 15 times greater risk of developing oral cancer than those who don't. This combo is the primary risk factor for approximately 75 percent of mouth cancers in the U.S.
Alcohol is the favorite mood-altering drug in the U.S.- some 44 percent of us over 18 have downed at least 12 drinks last year, and even those of us who drink in moderation (defined as two drinks a day for a man and 1 for a woman) are at greater risk for all alcohol's ill effects, including undermining your #OralHealth. The issue: Alcohol, even beer, contains sugar - and like every other kind of sugar, when it feeds the acid-producing cavity bacteria, it can destroy teeth just like soda.
Speaking of #soda, we often add it and other acidic mixers to hard #liquor and we get a double whammy. To make matters worse, alcohol dries out your mouth disabling the #saliva from protecting your teeth from decay.
Alcohol's long-term ill effects are of particular concern if you are an addicted drinker or you abuse alcohol by binge drinking (five or more drinks at a time).
A study published in U.S. Dentistry Today showed that 80 percent of alcohol abusers have moderate to severe gum disease and decayed teeth, and more than one-third have potentially pre-cancerous lesions. Alcohol abusers also exhibit poor healing after dental surgery.
#Alcohol is addicting and Alcoholism is a disease. If you suspect you are addicted, please get help! Today is the first day of the rest of your life!