Responsible Drinking on St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day DrinkingSt. Patrick’s Day isn’t particularly a major holiday, but it’s still a day where people like to go out for a night of fun. This entails drinking with friends and pinching anyone not wearing green. The former can be a bit of a problem from a dental standpoint. By all means, have fun, but be sure you engage in responsible drinking this St. Patrick’s Day.

Why be a Responsible Drinker on St. Patrick’s Day?

First of all, too much alcohol can be bad for your teeth. One study showed that frequent drinkers are three times more likely to suffer from permanent tooth loss. Beer is acidic and can erode teeth enamel. It also dries the mouth and strips it of plaque-removing saliva. This eventually leads to tooth rot that requires oral surgery.

Finally, much like coffee, beer stains the teeth. Alcohol contains a compound called chromogens that attaches to enamel and causes discoloration. On top of that, some bars also put green dye in their beer as part of a St. Patrick’s Day tribute. Food dye is another notorious teeth stainer.

Our cosmetic dentists have treated a number of patients with extensive teeth stains. The vast majority of them were either heavy coffee or beer drinkers.

Here’s another interesting fact: emergency dental visits increase by 64% the day after St. Patrick’s Day, according to a 2015 study. The increase was observed in every state except Vermont. The uptick in visits is likely due to drinkers’ becoming tipsy and sustaining accidents or starting fights as a result.

Wearing Green Not Required at Mukilteo Dental Arts

Schedule an appointment with Mukilteo Dental Arts this March. Our family dentists are just as into the spirit of this holiday as anyone else. We want you to have fun; go ahead and have a pint or two. Just drink responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day because overindulging does have dental ramifications.

Edited by Justin Vorhees

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