Wine Drinkers with Good Gum Health

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When I asked that simple question in a recent e-Alert, I had no idea it would touch a nerve, but it did.

The subject was wine specifically the antioxidant polyphenols in red wine. Canadian researchers report that these polyphenols may neutralize a compound that plays a key role in the development of periodontitis, an advanced form of gum disease. So far, however, the research hasnt developed to the point of testing red wine on live tissue.

But many gallons of red wine come into contact with live tissue (that is: gums) every day. With this in mind, I invited wine-drinking HSI members to let us know the quality of their gum health. As I write this, e-mails are still pouring in. Who knew wine aficionados would be such an effusive and forthcoming group when it comes to sharing intimate details about dental health?

Good gums

Lets start with the basics. It seems that HSI members who regularly drink red wine tend to have good gum health. In fact, they outnumber wine drinkers with poor gum health by more than 5 to 1. Here are a few comments from the dozens of responses received:

JB: I am 71 and drink 12 glasses of red wine daily.
My dentist always tells me my teeth and gums are in great shape.

CC: My husband and I have a glass of wine every night (only red wine) and have good dental health. The dentist was in shock when he saw me as it had been a while. He said both my teeth and gums were in excellent shape.

DS: My gums are in better shape now than I can remember them being, and theyve dramatically improved since I started drinking red wine on a daily basis about a year ago. Ive always had problems with loose teeth, but not any more.

AB: I drink wine daily. My dentist says my gums get better with each checkup.

Wine, but no roses

But not all wine lovers enjoy the same results as the four above. Heres a member named JM: Having been a regular wine drinker of both red and white wine, I suffer nevertheless from gum disease for which I am being treated for the last two years.

And another member who also has the initials JM writes: I am a red-wine drinker. I have just lost my second tooth. The 23 glasses 45 times a week isnt helping. I was actually wondering if it was part of the problem?

A member named JR would probably agree with that assessment. JR notes that alcohol may have a negative impact on gums. The problem? Alcohol dries the mouth and reduces saliva, which boosts the activity of bacteria and contributes to gum disease. She also quotes a University of Buffalo study that found a direct relationship between the amount of alcohol consumed and the severity of gum disease.

And JR adds another point: Alcohol consumption has a depleting effect on some nutrients necessary for healthy gums.

One piece of the puzzle

If alcohol promotes dental bacteria and depletes nutrients, how is it that so many HSI members who drink red wine enjoy good dental health? Granted, our e-Alert survey is very informal, but maybe gum health among red-wine drinkers can be attributed to other healthy habits. I think its safe to say that most (virtually all?) HSI members go out of their way to take good care of their health, and several of the e- mails reflect this, citing the use of supplements such as CoQ10 (shown to promote gum health), and nutrient- rich diets.

For instance, an HSI member named VC has very healthy gums and describes himself as a devotee of red wine.
I always generously supplement with vitamin C before going to bed.

And an 80-year-old member named BY is also a red wine drinker with perfectly healthy gums. But other factors probably play a role in her dental health. She writes: Only organically grown fruits and vegetables come into our house and our meat is from local sources that we also know to be reliably nurtured (no antibiotics in the feed nor by injection) and they are fed on grass in the fields in the spring and summer.
In short, health of any part of the body as well as the body as a whole is the result of good food, exercise and sufficient sleep as I am sure you know. No one thing can be responsible for good health.

Well put.