Alcohol is a common cause of dental erosion – which can lead to brown or white patches on your teeth. It can also lead to tooth decay, and gum disease. But there’s a great news, it can be reversed!

Symptoms of Alcohol Erosion

This condition can affect the entire tooth or just one tooth. You’ll usually notice the white spots (erosion) on your teeth. Sometimes, it’s possible for alcohol erosion to remain undetected for a long period of time. When this happens, it can lead to the teeth becoming discoloured.

Causes of Alcohol Erosion

Erosion can occur due to the frequent use of certain products. You may notice the white spots on your teeth when you brush and floss after eating, drinking, or using certain mouthwashes.

If you want to find out if your teeth are affected by erosion, you should always brush and floss after eating or drinking anything that contains alcohol.

If you’re concerned about the colour of your teeth or the white spots you see on your teeth, we recommend booking a consultation with a dentist.

How do you treat alcohol erosion?

To treat this condition, you’ll need to remove the damaged areas. To do this, the dentist will drill the teeth to remove the affected area. They’ll then fill the hole with a special filling called a composite resin.

Do you drink alcohol?

Alcohol is one of the most common causes of dental erosion. However, it’s not the only reason why you could have this condition. We’re going to look at other ways you can get erosion.

Other Causes of Alcohol Erosion

You may be exposed to the sun’s harmful rays for a long period of time without wearing sunscreen. This can damage your teeth.

In some cases, you may be allergic to certain foods. Some foods such as coffee and tea contain ingredients that can damage your teeth.

If you’re concerned about the colour of your teeth or the white spots you see on your teeth, we recommend booking a consultation with a dentist.

Can I avoid this condition?

Yes. There are a few ways you can prevent alcohol erosion.

Don’t drink too much

Drinking too much alcohol can damage your teeth. Try to drink no more than 2 units of alcohol a day – this means a bottle of wine, two pints of beer, or one glass of spirits.

• Avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol
• Using mouthwash with alcohol is a common cause of erosion. You shouldn’t use it every day.
• Don’t brush and floss too hard
• Brushing and flossing too hard can damage your teeth. Always use a soft bristled brush and toothpaste.
• Use mouthwash only once a day
• If you have a habit of using mouthwash twice a day, it can cause erosion. Try to use it once a day and only after brushing your teeth.
• Wash your hands regularly
• You should always wash your hands after touching anything that contains alcohol.

We’re happy to answer any questions you have about alcohol erosion.