Dating can be pretty tough out there. It never hurts for us to take stock once in a while and think about the effect our lifestyles can have on our long term health. As we enter 2014, we 
thought it was a good time to share some information on that much overlooked area – our mouths!
Let’s be honest, everything seems to be bad for you these days. So we’re not going to preach at you – just give you practical advice on how you can make sure that your teeth will last you a lifetime. If you eat, drink, smoke, take drugs or have oral sex, you may want to take notice.
Alcohol
Most alcoholic drinks contain sugar which combined with bacteria in your mouth can lead to tooth decay. Many drinks – especially those with carbonated mixers are very acidic and can dissolve tooth enamel. Arriving home drunk can cause even the most fastidious brusher to forget. Vomiting (!) can also bring stomach acid into your mouth leading to the enamel being dissolved.
Survival Tips
• Swish your mouth with water between drinks
• Chew sugar free gum or Xylitol containing mints on the way home
• Leave your toothbrush on your pillow before you go out so you don’t forget to brush before you go to bed
Smoking
Smoking can disguise the warning signs of gum disease. Smokers’ mouths have a reduced blood supply so gum disease can progress silently; often the first sign is when the teeth start to become loose. Normally gums bleed when there is gum disease but in smokers this sign is hidden until it is too late.
Survival Tips
• Give up – for all the reasons that you already know
• If you can’t, see your dentist regularly to look out for early warning signs
• Brushing twice a day can help reduce the progression of gum disease
• Contact the stop smoking helpline on 0800 022 4 332
Drugs
Not only illegal drugs can damage your mouth. Some medications are acidic and can help dissolve your teeth – especially chewable vitamin tablets, aspirin and asthma medications and some syrups may cause tooth damage. Some medication can dry out your mouth, making it more susceptible to infection and decay.
Cannabis – can cause dry mouth and the smoke can cause oral cancer
Cocaine – by rubbing it into your gums it causes ulceration of the gum and exposes the bone
Cocaine also makes you grind your teeth often leading to worn teeth and sore jaw muscles
Ecstasy – side effects include dry mouth and jaw grinding
Users often crave sugary foods and drinks, clench their teeth, and have dry mouth
Survival Tips
• Use sugar-free gum to increase salivary flow
• Never rub drugs onto your gums – it causes ulcers and the gums to shrink
• Speak to your GP about the side effects of any medication
• Contact your nearest drug support service
Oral Sex
It can help transmission of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which can lead to oral cancer. Both men and women can be carriers of the virus and it is transmitted via genital or oral sex. HPV infection can go undetected for years. HPV can cause cervical cancer in women but oral cancer in both men and women.
Survival Tips
• There is a vaccine that can protect you against the main strains of HPV
• See your dentist if you notice anything unusual in your mouth that has been present for more
than 2 weeks.
Book a date with them on 020 7236 3600.
www.bowlanedental.com
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