Red wine is a delicious and classy beverage that pairs amazingly well with red meat, making it a common adult beverage at holiday parties. While its distinctive robust taste and dark yet warm coloration make it a delightful libation for many people, it has a bad reputation for causing stains and discoloration in drinkers’ teeth. Here’s how red wine can stain your teeth along with a few tips for keeping your smile pearly white while toasting the holidays.
How Does Red Wine Stain Teeth?
Red wine is rich in acid, which gives it its biting flavor, and pigment, which gives it its lovely color. While both of these play a part in the pleasure of drinking it, they can be harmful to your smile. Upon making contact with your teeth, the acid will immediately begin weakening the hard outer layer of enamel, making it more porous. With the enamel in this state, it becomes easier for the pigments in red wine to become lodged within it or to bind to it. Without proper precautions, someone who frequently enjoys red wine may find their teeth turning a purplish color.
How Can I Keep My Teeth Shiny and White While Drinking Red Wine?
Luckily for everyone who wants to enjoy a glass of merlot or pinot noir over the holidays, there are measures you can take to prevent dental stains while drinking red wine. A few tips include:
- Practice excellent oral hygiene: In addition to being a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, plaque can make it easier for stains to form because pigments can become stuck in it. Brushing and flossing before enjoying a glass of red will make it harder for stains to set in.
- Enjoy your red with plenty of water: Drinking a glass of water alongside an alcoholic beverage is a great way to stay hydrated and prevent hangovers, and it can also help flush harmful particles away from your teeth. It’s also a great idea to rinse your mouth out after enjoying a glass of red wine as well.
- Have a meal with your red wine: Eating stimulates saliva flow, which helps your mouth clean itself of bacteria, residues, and food debris. Enjoy your wine with a meal or a snack such as hard cheese or veggies like broccoli, carrots, or celery.
- Try whitening toothpaste: Whitening toothpaste can help remove surface stains from your teeth and prevent new ones from forming.
Red wine can be a wonderful beverage for festive occasions, and you can enjoy it in moderation without worrying about dental stains if you practice proper oral hygiene. By following these tips, you can rest assured that your teeth will make it through the holidays with their pearly white shade intact.
About the Author
Dr. Anthony Dillard earned his dental doctorate from Baylor College of Dentistry and has accrued more than 180 hours in continuing education. He has served as a dentist for more than a decade and finds great rewards in helping patients with their dental needs. His office in Carrollton, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on protecting your teeth from stains, contact his office online or dial (972) 394-1492.