I’m debating whether this deserves it’s own thread or not, being a definite newb to posting (long time lurker, first time poster!), but, not wanting to clutter the Diet Soda = Cavities? thread, I’ll open a new one…
I remember seeing an ABC news clip that showcased some of the research into the medical benefits of moderate beer consumption (particularly dark beers, it seems either nature or the medical community has good taste). The clip mentioned only in passing that it may help prevent cavities but failed to cite any research or even interview any source more impartial than a brewer with regard to that claim.
A quick Google for “beer” and “cavities” gave me a rather impressive list of recipes for stuffing a beer up a chicken’s hoohah. A revision to “beer” and “dental caries” helped somewhat, but the vast majority of the sites suggesting beer as an ally in the war on tooth decay are ones with names like “BeerAcademy.co.uk.” I can’t imagine beer having any anti-caries effect outside of the weak(?) anti-bacterial effect of 6-7% ABV. Not having any impartial sources to turn to, I beseech you of the Straight Dope:
Does my evening Newcastle help protect my pearly whites or will I have to switch to imbibing Scope?
Alcoholics and/or heavy drinkers as a class have a much, much, much higher incidence of of serious dental problems than non-drinkers and non-problem drinkers.
On a practical level whatever doubtful prophylatic action beer has against cavities are swamped by the fact that beer/alcohol drinking will often make you collapse into bed without brushing your teeth and that swamps whatever benefits it may have.
Also drinking alcohol dries you out and reduces saliva flow which is not good for your mouth and gums.
I am not asking with regard to alcoholics or people who, while not addicted, drink to excess, it is pretty much common knowledge that those practices are decidedly unhealthy. The important distinction is moderation. While an excess of booze would undoubtedly cause someone to throw dental hygiene to the wind, a single 355ml bottle/can/glass of beer does not impair judgement to that degree (for me, at least, I cannot speak for the 16 year old girl at the frat party, but I think she probably has more to worry about than her teeth and gums). Both my OP as well as the news reports are fairly clear on this.
(I am not going to entertain the argument of “While one drink may be moderate for you, 37 is moderate for some”)
Sorry for double posting, but this came to my attention:
Doing another quick web search, I found a study, “Invertase from Dark Beer as an Anti-Cariogen,” published by researchers at Ochanomizu Women’s University in Tokyo. A quick skim of the PDF file revealed that the study basically shows that dark beer contains a compund that inhibits the synthesis of the acids that form dental caries. Although, as the study focused on an extract of the compound and in vivo testing, I would like to know if anybody can find and further research.
(To read the full PDF of the study in that link, click the CiNii PDF in the top right of the page)
It sounds vaguely like something I remember from an old copy New Scientist. Something along the lines that all the sugar you might have consumed in a soft drink isn’t there in the beer, saving your teeth.
