Bet You Forgot To Brush Your Teeth!
New research finds student nights out are increasing chances of dreaded gum disease!
A new week is here students, and that student loan is no doubt dwindling like Jose Mourinho’s career at Chelsea FC after another heavy weekend of Freshers’ excess and fun.
But it isn’t just your bank balance you need to keep tabs on – it’s your teeth as well!
After all, your smile is the first thing people will notice about you, and having bad teeth on your list of regrets after a big night out isn’t the way to go.
Why are we telling you this? Well, a new study has revealed that binge drinking doesn’t just kill our brain cells it also makes us forget to brush our pearly whites, increasing our chances of gum disease.
The research, recently published in a dental journal, revealed that students who are drinking large volumes of booze were far more likely to forget to brush before hitting the hay and, as a result, were suffering from higher levels of gum disease. Uh oh!
Reacting to the findings, our very own Dr Ewan Bramley, a leading Newcastle dentist, said: “It’s fair to say a lot of our students enjoy the social aspect of their university and college lives but many probably won’t be aware of the effect drinking heavily has on their health.
“The start of uni life with things like Freshers’ Week often leads to a lot of cheap alcohol being put into the system and forgetting to clean and brush teeth after a night out can and will lead to problems for the gums and teeth. But getting on top of dental health isn’t difficult and the situation can change quickly if things are acted upon properly and quickly.”
With almost half a million students attending university in 2015, thousands of students are potentially at risk of dental problems if they binge drink regularly.
What are the risks to my dental health if I binge drink?
The main and direct threat of binge drinking comes from the sugary content found in alcohol which creates an acidic build up for bacteria and plaque to feed on. This is a main force behind things like tooth decay and gum disease.
Drinking too much also causes dehydration, which, as you will probably know if you enjoy the occasional drink, gives you the dreaded dry mouth. Having less saliva in the mouth can cause erosion and decay when saliva – a natural anti-bacterial agent – is dramatically reduced.
In some cases, mouth cancer can also form as a result of excessive drinking. You have been warned!
How can I minimise the risks when I’m at university this year?
It may not look cool, but popping a straw in your drink can reduce the length of time it takes for alcohol to come in contact with the teeth and gums.
-When you get back into your student flats and homes, don’t brush right away. Wait an hour after your last drink to allow the enamel in your teeth to re-mineralise. And don’t fall asleep before you get to the bathroom!
-You don’t always have to say yes to every drink. Have a low sugar alcohol free drink in between beers and give your teeth and gums a rest!
