Q.
Hello Dr. I am a newly recovered alcholic. I used to suffer from depression and acoholism. I have now changed my life for the beter and at fourty four i felt it couldn’t go on any longer. I have been told that smoking can led to many problems like mouth cancer and so on but as I never smoked thats not a bother, I bring this up becase after a good drink, as most people do, I wake up with dry mouth. I would like to know why you get dry mouth what damage dry mouth can cause to my gums which I assume should be moist? cheers sir
Hello Dr. I am a newly recovered alcholic. I used to suffer from depression and acoholism. I have now changed my life for the beter and at fourty four i felt it couldn’t go on any longer. I have been told that smoking can led to many problems like mouth cancer and so on but as I never smoked thats not a bother, I bring this up becase after a good drink, as most people do, I wake up with dry mouth. I would like to know why you get dry mouth what damage dry mouth can cause to my gums which I assume should be moist? cheers sir
A.
Alcohol intake leads to a great deal of body dehydration, meaning the body uses its water “reservoirs” to break down the alcohol ingested. Dehydration is the may cause of the typical “hang-over” symptoms. In some individuals, dry mouth resulting from either by alcohol intake, side effect of medication (some related to control of depression) or other salivary gland alterations, can lead to a lower ability to cope with the bacteria in the mouth. That in turn can increase the chance of gum disease to appear. Proper oral hygiene and regular visits to a hygienist are recommended. If in doubt, ask your dentist for a gum examination.
Alcohol intake leads to a great deal of body dehydration, meaning the body uses its water “reservoirs” to break down the alcohol ingested. Dehydration is the may cause of the typical “hang-over” symptoms. In some individuals, dry mouth resulting from either by alcohol intake, side effect of medication (some related to control of depression) or other salivary gland alterations, can lead to a lower ability to cope with the bacteria in the mouth. That in turn can increase the chance of gum disease to appear. Proper oral hygiene and regular visits to a hygienist are recommended. If in doubt, ask your dentist for a gum examination.
Dr Jose Zurdo
Mall Dental Care
Pall Mall, Manchester, M2 4DU
Web: www.malldental.com Tel: 0161 830 7300
