6 Ways Caffeine and Alcohol Affect Your Oral and Vision Health

Many people start their day with a cup of coffee or wind down in the evening with a cocktail or glass of wine. While most know the importance of drinking alcohol responsibly, your daily caffeine fix could also be affecting your health more than you realize. Over time, too much of either could take a toll on your oral and eye health, from dry mouth and blurry vision to more serious long-term concerns.

To protect your overall health, moderation is key, along with regular dental and eye exams. With Altus Dental, AAA members living in Massachusetts can access affordable dental and vision care.

Dehydration

Alcohol leads to dehydration, and large amounts of caffeine can have a similar effect, according to Mayo Clinic, though regular coffee drinkers often build some tolerance over time.

Both alcohol and caffeine act as diuretics, meaning they increase urine production and cause the body to lose fluids more quickly. As a result, consuming too much of either can lead to common symptoms such as headaches and dizziness, as well as dry mouth and dry eyes.

Dehydration can reduce saliva production, allowing bacteria to linger on teeth and increasing the risk of tooth decay. It can also worsen dry eye symptoms.

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Enamel Erosion

Some coffees, wines, cocktails and energy drinks expose your teeth to acids that gradually wear down enamel, the hard outer layer that protects your teeth. As enamel thins, teeth can become more sensitive to hot or cold and more vulnerable to cavities. Drink plenty of water alongside caffeinated and alcoholic beverages to help minimize these effects.

Teeth Staining

Coffee and red wine contain pigments that can adhere to tooth enamel and cause staining over time. While these stains are usually cosmetic, frequent consumption can lead to noticeable discoloration, especially if oral hygiene habits are inconsistent.

Eye Pressure

Higher caffeine intake can temporarily increase intraocular pressure (IOP). For people with glaucoma, that matters because keeping IOP lower is an important part of managing the condition. Eye care professionals recommend moderate caffeine consumption.

Temporary Vision Changes

Besides its other effects, alcohol can cause temporary vision changes, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. This happens because alcohol slows communication between the brain and the eyes, leading to blurred vision, reduced coordination and decreased depth perception and reaction time.

Long-Term Eye Health

The optic nerve is responsible for carrying visual information from the eye to the brain, allowing you to see and interpret images. Excessive alcohol use can negatively affect the health of the optic nerve and, when combined with an overall poor diet, may contribute to long-term vision problems. These can include decreased visual acuity, loss of color vision and increased risk for chronic conditions like cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Preventive Care

In addition to moderation, several simple habits can help reduce the effects of caffeine and alcohol and maintain good oral and eye health.

• Stay hydrated. Water intake maintains the moisture balance in the mouth, decreases irritation after drinking products with caffeine or alcohol, and supports tear film stability, according to Mayo Clinic.
• Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day to help prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Schedule regular dental and eye exams.

For AAA members in Massachusetts, affordable dental and vision coverage through Altus Dental can make it easier to get the care you need and keep up with routine appointments.

Ellen R. Delisio

Ellen is a content producer for AAA Northeast, covering automotive, finance, public affairs and electric vehicle news. She is a former newspaper reporter with experience writing for print and online publications about everything from higher education to sustainability. She recently returned to her native Long Island after living in Connecticut for 20-plus years, and has never met a beach she didn’t like.