Beer is one of the most popular drinks in the world and comes in third place behind water and tea. Beer has been around for a very long time and is even thought to have been an integral part of neolithic society. In the medieval ages, beer was drunk more than water because of beers antibacterial properties and due to the unsanitary water of the time. There was even a giant tsunami of beer that flooded the streets of London in 1814 after a large container exploded 1 million gallons of porter. So beer has been an important part of our lives since forever ago and it continues to be a prominent drink. Today beer can be found in so many flavors and tastes that it may be a little overwhelming to choose which beer is right for your taste buds. Beers can be placed in two broad categories: dark and light beers. Darker beers such as porters and stouts, often have a rich coffee taste that can be mixed with peanut butter or vanilla. These beers are usually higher in alcohol and taste fantastic with a scoop of ice cream, however, they are not that good for your oral anatomy. Lighter beers such as IPA’s or pilsner’s usually are less in alcohol content and have a key ingredient that makes it better for your oral health than darker beers. This amazing ingredient is hops and has been an additive in lighter beers for a long time. Before modern refrigeration, hops were added to beers to preserve them on long voyages overseas. Beers such as India Pale Ales and IPA’s had more hops than other lighter beers because of the distance it needed to travel.
Hops Prevents Plaque
Beer contains antibacterial properties, but hops have been proven to help reduce the formation of dental plaque. This is especially convenient for dental implants patients who need to maintain oral hygiene to prevent bacterial infections from forming around the implants and gums. Dental implant patients need to remove plaque on their teeth very diligently because a bacterial infection can lead to peri-impantitis. Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory disease that occurs in the gums and spreads to the jawbone, causing depletion, weakness, and loosening of dental implants.
What Makes Beer Healthy
Lighter beers are better for your oral anatomy because it contains dietary silicon that is vital to maintaining the health of mineralized tissues such as dentin, bones, and the enamel that is comprised of 96% mineral. Dietary silicon in the form of orthosilicic acid is absorbed by the body, which will aid in creating new bone. Beer waste is even used for bone grafting materials. When beer is consumed in moderation, it can prevent osteoporosis and help the body heal from bone loss caused by gum disease. It will also help the body heal dental implants into the body which is crucial in dental implants ability to provide oral health and benefits. Dental implants need to undergo osseointegration, which is the natural fusion of the titanium implant into the living tissue. In a recent study, lighter beers were recorded to have more dietary silicon content than other beers.
Contact Dr. Spector and Dr. Michael Migdal at Gentle Dentist in Haworth, NJ
It is important to remember that beer is not a cure-all solution and should not be replaced by other oral hygiene methods such as flossing. Brushing and flossing are very important to thoroughly remove plaque. Lighter beer is only effective if taken in moderation because it has sugars and acids that can be harmful to your teeth if excessively used. If you have further questions regarding dental implants or would liek to discuss your candidacy, then please contact us to schedule your FREE, no-obligation consultation today. We look forward to hearing from you soon.