{"id":2851,"date":"2026-10-06T11:37:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T11:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foxhalldental.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2851"},"modified":"2026-10-06T11:37:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T11:37:44","slug":"wine-and-beer-harms-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foxhalldental.co.uk\/blog\/advice\/wine-and-beer-harms-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Drinking Wine And Beer Harmful For Your Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What effect does alcohol consumption have on our oral health?<\/h2>\n

A glass of wine with dinner or a beer at the end of the week is something many of us find enjoyable and perhaps even helps us to relax. When it comes to looking after your teeth though, it is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls of alcohol consumption and the impact it can have on our teeth and gums. Wine and beer (and other alcoholic drinks) can all affect your teeth and gums in several ways, but the amount you drink, how often you drink it and what else you consume alongside it all make a difference.<\/p>\n

There is no need for our Ipswich patients to panic if you occasionally enjoy a drink though. It is more about understanding what might happen and perhaps adjusting your drinking habits accordingly.<\/p>\n

Wine can be acidic<\/h3>\n

One of the main concerns with wine is its acidity. Both red and white wine are acidic, and regular exposure to acidic drinks can contribute to enamel erosion. Interestingly, non-alcoholic wines are just as acidic as alcoholic ones in general too. So avoiding alcohol in this situation doesn\u2019t eliminate this particular risk. Acidic drinks will temporarily soften the enamel surface of your teeth. If you regularly sip an acidic drink over a long period of time, such as how you might drink wine in an evening of socialising, your teeth will be exposed to that acid for longer. Over time, this can contribute to enamel erosion and increased tooth sensitivity.<\/p>\n

Red wine and stained teeth<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Although not a problem that will damage your teeth, red wine especially, can lead to staining or discolouration of your teeth. Red wine contains pigments which can stick to the surface of teeth, particularly if there is already some plaque present. This can gradually contribute to staining. This doesn\u2019t\u00a0 mean that drinking red wine will suddenly make your teeth darker, of course, but regular consumption will gradually make any staining more noticeable. Good brushing and professional cleaning can help remove some surface staining. If your teeth are generally healthy but you are unhappy with their colour, a teeth whitening procedure at the Foxhall Dental Practice<\/a> may be an option you might wish to consider.<\/p>\n

Is beer less harmful?<\/h3>\n

Beer does not have quite the same reputation for staining as red wine, but it can still have an effect on your teeth. Some beers are acidic, so frequent consumption can contribute to enamel erosion. Beer can also contain carbohydrates which are broken down into sugars, and some flavoured or sweeter beers may contain considerably more sugar than you might expect.<\/p>\n

As with many foods and drinks, the frequency with which you consume them matters. Having a drink occasionally is very different from regularly sipping beer throughout an evening.<\/p>\n

Tooth decay<\/h3>\n

Alcohol itself is not the only thing to consider when looking at the relationship between drinking and tooth decay. Many alcoholic drinks contain sugar, and mixers can add considerably more. Spirits mixed with colas, lemonade or other sugary drinks can therefore expose the teeth to both sugar and acids. Sugar is used as a food source by bacteria in dental plaque. This bacteria then produces acids as they break it down. Over time this can eventually lead to tooth decay.<\/p>\n

This is one reason why having sugary drinks repeatedly throughout an evening is less tooth-friendly than having them alongside a meal.<\/p>\n

Alcohol and gum disease<\/h3>\n

Another potential problem is a dry mouth. Alcohol can contribute to dehydration as anyone who has ever drunk too much will be aware. This reduces the amount of saliva available in the mouth, preventing it from washing away food particles, neutralising acids and protecting your teeth and gums. Gum disease is a serious issue and can even lead to tooth loss. For further gum health advice, we recommend that you see the hygienist at our Ipswich dental practice.<\/p>\n

If you regularly experience a dry mouth after drinking, try drinking\u00a0 some water alongside your alcoholic drink if you can. This is a simple habit to adopt, but one which can benefit your mouth<\/a> and the rest of your body, and potentially help to reduce any hangover you might experience the next day as well!<\/p>\n

Post alcohol teeth cleaning<\/h3>\n

It might seem logical to brush your teeth soon after drinking wine, especially if you are concerned about staining. However, this is not necessarily a good idea when you have just consumed something acidic. As the acid in wine can temporarily soften the enamel surface, brushing straight away can potentially contribute to further wear. Instead, rinse your mouth with water and give your teeth some time to recover before brushing; at least half an hour. You can then brush as normal with a fluoride toothpaste. This also applies to other acidic foods and drinks, and not just alcohol.<\/p>\n

Wine and cheese<\/h3>\n

This is a well known combination and whether historically by design or pure chance, it actually will help to preserve your teeth if you are drinking wine. Cheese contains calcium and other nutrients which are useful for teeth, and can help to neutralise some of the acidity in your mouth and help to reduce any softening of the tooth enamel. Eating it with wine is certainly not a guarantee against dental problems, but it can certainly be useful.<\/p>\n

Drink in moderation<\/h3>\n

Alcohol consumption has played a role in society for a very long time and probably will do so long into the future. It is not drinking it that is the problem though, but how much and how often. The key of course, is to drink alcohol in moderation. Try to avoid continually sipping alcoholic drinks over a long period of time. Having water alongside your drink is a good habit, and keeping sugary mixers to a minimum will definitely help to keep your teeth healthier.<\/p>\n

It is also better for your teeth to consume drinks as part of a meal rather than constantly having small amounts between meals. Your teeth need some time away from food and drink so that saliva can do its job and restore the mouth’s normal balance.<\/p>\n

Look after your teeth in the usual way<\/h3>\n

Whether you drink or not, you should always brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth regularly with floss or interdental brushes. If you enjoy an occasional glass of wine or beer, there is no reason to feel guilty about it from a dental point of view. Be sensible about how often you drink though, and drink in moderation and take good care to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.<\/p>\n

Naturally, you should also make sure to maintain regular check up appointments at the Foxhall Dental Practice too. You can book your appointment by calling us on 01473 258396<\/strong> and speaking to one of our friendly receptionists.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What effect does alcohol consumption have on our oral health? A glass of wine with dinner …<\/p>\n

Is Drinking Wine And Beer Harmful For Your Teeth?<\/span> Read more \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2749,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2851","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t