Alcohol consumption in young people and their consequences in oral cavity
Saliva has an ability to neutralize acids and cushion acid variations, in addition to determining the presidency of certain dental diseases, it is a liquid generated by glands that exist in the mouth that are called salivary glands. A day is generated between 0.5 to 2 liters and is subject to the circadian cycle, so at night we generate quantity. The pH of saliva is approximately between 6.5 and 7 and is composed of water and ions such as sodium, chlorine or potassium, and enzymes that help initial food degradation, healing, protection against bacterial infections and bacterial infectionseven taste functions. Generally alcohol is quickly metabolized in saliva, about 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion, it makes it altering. In that sense, a continued decrease to a pH of 5.5 favors the appearance of cariogenic bacteria.
Justification
Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages damages our dental aesthetics, but what about our oral health? How does alcohol harm our teeth? Stains, sensitivity, caries, periodontal problems …
When we talk about alcoholic beverages, many people think of the liver or blood pressure. But many do not know that alcohol is also harmful to teeth, not only causes a reduction in saliva, but also creates a more acidic environment in the mouth which can affect the enamel of the teeth. Adding to this the high level of sugar obtained in alcohol sweet liquors, this also generates affectation in the teeth
PH descent
The right acidity to maintain stable oral health ranges between 5.6 and 7.6 pH;When these levels fall from 4.5 pH, caries and erosion problems increase, since the risk of demineralization increases. Experts point out that after taking a gin-tonic the pH reaches very low levels, around 2.5.
Young;the most affected
According to school survey on the use of alcoholic beverages in secondary school students (study) 2012-2013 The age of starting alcoholic beverages is at 13.9 years. This early initiation has negative consequences for oral health. Since the Spanish Oral Care Society (Secub) they report that the number of young people whose teeth have been affected by the acidity of alcoholic beverages has increased.
Dry the mucosa
Alcohol dry the oral mucosa and make it weaker, is the main cause of epithelial atrophy of the oral mucosa, becoming more vulnerable to oral diseases. Therefore, the appearance of caries is a negative consequence derived directly from excessive alcohol consumption, it is related to tobacco and disproportionate sugar intake that is harmful to the enamel of our tooth, said sugar accumulates the bacterial plaque that aggregate the enamelAnd it encourages the manifestation of caries
Plate accumulation
Dehydration of the mouth is a situation that makes it possible for us to be more sensitive to develop bacteria causing tooth decay, as well as enhance the accumulation of plate in the tooth
Dental erosion
It is the loss of enamel in the teeth caused by the attack of acid, the enamel is the hard layer, protector of the tooth that protects the dentin, when the enamel degrades the dentin is exposed below, so it can give pain and sensitivity
Impact:
- Cavities
- To maintain stable oral health, the adequate becomes between 5.6 and 7.6 pH. If these levels fall from 4.5 we will face caries and erosion problems, which increases the risk of demineralization
Alcohol damages your teeth
More and more young people go to the dentist’s consultation with premature wear of the teeth associated with alcohol consumption. It is known that chucheías and acidic fruits increase the risk of caries. However, most people do not know that alcohol is also harmful to teeth. Consumed regularly dries the mouth, wears the calcium of dental pieces, produces bad breath and, in addition, is considered a risk factor of mouth cancer.
Alcohol consumption and health
Prolonged alcohol consumption increases its chances of:
- Stomach or esophagus bleeding (the duct through which the food from your throat travels to your stomach).
- Inflammation and damage to the pancreas. Its pancreas produces substances that the body needs to function well.
- Liver damage. When it is serious, often leads to death.
- Malnutrition.
- Esophagus cancer, liver, colon, head and neck, breasts and other areas.
Drinking in excess can also:
- Make high blood pressure control more if you already have high pressure.
- Bring to heart problems in some people.
Alcohol can affect their reasoning and judgment capacity every time you drink. Prolonged alcohol consumption damages neurons. This can cause permanent damage to your memory, your capacity for reasoning and the way it behaves. Nerve damage following alcohol abuse can cause many problems, some of which are:
- Numbness or painful sensation of ‘tingling’ in arms or legs.
- Problems with erections in men.
- Urine drips or difficulty urinating.
Taking alcohol during pregnancy can cause growth to growing baby. Serious birth defects or fetal alcoholism (SAF) can occur (SAF).
How can parents intervene to prevent both alcohol consumption and problems derived from its adolescence?
Parents play a very important role in prevention of harmful behaviors for their children. In the following table you can consult, in the form of a decalogue, a series of good practices for mothers and fathers.
Decalogue for mothers and fathers in relation to alcohol consumption.
- Dialogue with the children taking advantage of those opportunities in which they are predisposed to speak and not only when we want to talk to them
- Foster leisure activities and common hobbies, finding how to have fun with them
- Have an individual educational project for each child
- Transmit values
- Transmit the values of the community to which it belongs and foster belonging to it
- Teach moderation (sobriety) in general and in the use of money in particular
- Offer an adequate model with one’s alcohol consumption. Give example of sobriety in alcohol consumption
- Meet your friends and gang and offer, as far as possible, the house itself to meet
- Keep some reasonable but firm schedules in the ‘exits’
- Positively reinforce the behaviors that deserve and negatively those that require correction, pointing out the latter and explaining the correct action, but without disqualifying people
How can society intervene?
School and community programs are useful to contribute to decrease and prevent alcohol and drug use. It is not yet known what the ideal program is and in each community it can be different. It is important that parents, teachers, neighborhood community, municipalities and society as a whole participate in it.
conclusion
- Alcohol is a risk offender to other causes, they can facilitate or accelerate the processes of caries and oral infections by altering oral microflora.
- It is important to point out that many of the mouth cancers, throat and larynx are attributable to frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- The critical moment of initiation to alcohol consumption in adolescents is around 12-13 years .
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