Lots of people like to have a drink when celebrating or hanging out with family and friends. That’s totally okay! But it’s important to remember that even small amounts of alcohol can harm your eyes and teeth.
When Does Alcohol Become Too Much?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heavy drinking means having 15 or more drinks per week for men, or 8 or more drinks per week for women.
How Alcohol Harms Your Eyes and Teeth
Alcohol can put your vision health and oral health at risk. In fact, drinking too much can:
- Relax the eye muscles, leading to difficulty focusing and blurry vision.
- Delay the pupils’ ability to dilate and constrict, making it harder to adjust to changes in light.
- Impair the coordination of eye muscles, causing double vision.
- Dilate blood vessels on the surface of the eyes, making them appear red or bloodshot.
- Reduce the ability to see objects outside the direct line of vision, leading to tunnel vision.
- Impair the brain’s ability to judge distances accurately.
- Reduce saliva, making your mouth dry. Saliva plays a critical role in washing away oral bacteria. Decreased saliva flow results in an oral environment that is more acidic which can lead to more cavities and gum problems.
- Cause cavities. The sugar in your drink is digested by harmful bacteria in your mouth which produce an acidic biproduct from their digestion, known to damage the surface of your teeth. The result is tooth sensitivity and a greater risk of tooth decay.
- Weakens the immune system, which means the body has a harder time fighting off gum disease. Not to mention alcohol can Irritate the gums and soft tissues of the mouth and throat, causing them to swell and bleed.
- Stain your teeth if your drink is dark in color.
Long Term Risks of Alcohol
Heavy drinking over time can:
- Lead to optic neuropathy which damages the nerve that helps you see, often causing vision problems like blurriness or loss of sight.
- Increase your risk of developing cataracts.
- Boost your risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which can cause loss of central vision.
- Increase your chances of getting cancer in your mouth or throat.
- Weaken your immune system and increase your risk for gum disease.
Drinking too much alcohol can also harm your overall health in many ways. It can damage your liver, weaken your immune system or affect your brain, memory and mood. It also increases accident risks and can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and cancer. It’s important to drink alcohol in moderation to stay healthy and safe.
Minimize the Risk of Alcohol to Your Eyes and Teeth
It is possible to enjoy alcohol without harming your vision health and oral health! While some risk will always remain, there are ways to reduce harm to your eyes and teeth.
- Drink in moderation: Limit how much alcohol you drink to lower the risk of harming your eyes and teeth.
- Go non-alcoholic: Non-alcoholic beverages are gaining in popularity and are a great alternative! Try this Raspberry Mint Mojito mocktail recipe at your next party or as night time treat.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water with your alcohol to keep your eyes and teeth from getting dry.
- Choose wisely: Opt for drinks with less sugar and avoid acidic mixers that can damage teeth and a lower alcohol content to lessen the impact on your vision.
- Use straws: Drinking through a straw can help bypass your teeth, reducing exposure to sugary or acidic drinks.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush and floss your teeth regularly to help prevent decay and gum disease.
- Get regular check-ups: Visit your eye doctor and dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups to catch and treat problems early.
Help Is Always Here When You Need It
If your drinking starts to affect your work or personal life, or if you notice withdrawal symptoms like shaking, irritability, or sweating, it could be a sign of alcoholism. Visit samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline for help and information.
