Robert D. Follweiler, D.D.S.
Periodontology and Laser Technology
901 East
Ocean Boulevard Stuart, Florida 34994
772-283-1400
Please visit
us on the web FollweilerPerio.com
ALCOHOL AND ORAL HEALTH
Believe
it or not alcohol abuse is often first detected in the dental office. Many
adults are “closet drinkers” and even close friends and family members are
unaware that their loved one or friend is abusing alcohol. These individuals
have perfected ways of hiding their problem and seem to function, hold down
jobs and care for their family adequately enough to hide their secret. Alcohol
abuse in older adults often goes unnoticed by health care professionals because
the natural aging process hides the symptoms.
The United States Center for Disease Control
defines” heavy” drinking as more than two drinks per day for men and more than
one drink per day for women. “Moderate” drinking is defined as less than that
per day. Alcohol abuse affects every system in the body. Excessive alcohol
intake may be responsible for pancreatic and liver disease, weakened immune system
resulting in frequent infections, cardiovascular disease, hypertension,
nutritional deficiencies and increased risk of cancer.
Dental
care professionals are often the first line of defense in the early detection
of oral cancer, which affects approximately 34,000 people in the United States
every year, resulting in approximately 6,900 deaths. Men are twice as likely to
be diagnosed with oral cancer than women, and the average age of diagnosis is
62 years. More than 50% of oral cancers are diagnosed in the later stages
resulting in poor survival rates. Only 50% of individuals with oral cancer
survive longer than 5 years.
Some of the symptoms dentists see in patients with alcohol abuse problems are reduced salivary flow, (dry mouth leading to rampant decay) nutritional deficiencies, frequent infections and abscesses, painful, burning or swollen tongue. Additionally symptoms such as cracks and sores at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis) and oral candidiasis (thick white coating on tongue and cheeks) as well as red and inflamed gum tissues are often a very obvious signs of alcohol problems. Psychological effects include cognitive problems, depression and dementia. Alcoholism is the third leading life-style related cause of death in the US and causes 79,000 deaths each year.
