Whether it’s been a long, stressful week and it’s time to unwind, or you’re just looking to kick back and have a good time with some friends, it’s not uncommon for adults to delve into an alcoholic beverage or two from time to time. Well, the effects of alcohol on our bodies are not a mystery to most people, but what can it do to our oral health? If you’re wondering whether or not wearing braces has any effect on the ability to drink alcohol or whether or not alcohol will have any major effects on your braces, see below!
Have additional questions about how alcohol consumption and how it relates to your oral health? Contact the friendly staff at Speaks Orthodontics today: 720.513.3743.
Will Alcohol Affect My Wires or Brackets?
Generally speaking, drinking alcoholic beverages won’t have any direct negative results on your braces. The liquids won’t necessarily cause broken brackets or damage to the wires, but we do suggest always drinking in moderation.
Tips and Best Practices For Drinking Alcohol With Braces
While a few alcoholic beverages likely won’t cause any severe damage to your braces, it’s always a good idea to keep the following in mind:
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Most alcoholic drinks contain acid in some shape or form. Drinks mixed with fruit juices or soda typically contain the highest levels and acid can begin to eat away at your enamel if it’s left on the surface of the teeth for too long.
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On the same note as the drinks mentioned above, soda and fruit juices are generally high in sugar. Not to mention, lots of alcohols contain large amounts of sugar at some point or another during production.
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Darker colored alcohols like rum, red wine and brown ales, stouts and porters have the ability to stain your teeth. If you’re goal is pearly whites, we suggest sticking to clear liquor and mixers, light-colored beers and white wine.
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Consider drinking through a straw so some of those “harmful” ingredients avoid direct contact with your teeth.