Beware of student lifestyle risks to dental health!

Students who binge drink are more likely to forget to brush their teeth before going to bed, a survey has found.

The study published in The Journey of Periodontal Research looked at the gum health of over 800 students and found those drinking large quantities of alcohol were more likely  to miss brushing their teeth, resulting in a higher incidence of gum disease.

The study suggested that students often feel the affects of excessive alcohol on their general health (especially the morning after!), but overlook the harmful effects it can have on their dental health. As the new university year starts, and there are many cheap alcohol deals on for students, excessive drinking can be a frequent occurrence. But forgetting to brush your teeth before falling into bed after a night out can lead to some serious problems for their teeth.

One of the main threats to dental health from excessive drinking is the amount of sugar in alcohol. It can also cause dehydration, leading to a dry mouth meaning less saliva to buffer the sugar from the teeth.

So, advice for students, or loved ones at university to ensure they can concentrate on their studies and not in the dentists chair:

1. Avoid high sugar mixers - or choose a low calorie alternative
2. Use a straw to minimise the amount of time the drink is in contact with the teeth - offering protection from decay and acid erosion
3. Brush teeth at least an hour after your last drink to allow enamel to re-mineralise and prevent brushing away loosened particles