In the Greek mythology wine has been called the nectar of the Gods. Wine today is synonymous with celebrations be it parties, dinners or any other special occasion. Among the different varieties red and white, red is generally more popular among people. So, does the wine that we drink affect our teeth?
Does wine stain our teeth?
Well, who among us who has drunk red wine not faced the staining of our teeth? We all have seen that the teeth can turn gray or purple when one consumes wine occasionally which can even turn a dirty brown if one is a regular wine drinker. This discoloration of the teeth is because the wine that is drunk has acids, tannin and natural dyes like anthocyanins which can stain the teeth.
The color of the stains comes from the anthocyanins. The tannins bind the color to the surface of the teeth and although enamel is one of the hardest tissue in the body, it is still susceptible to wear and tear due to acids. According to the American Dental Association red wines stains are considered as external stains like those caused by tea and coffee.
Do I give up drinking wine?
You may be wondering if you need to give up drinking wine but that is not needed. Wine is not all bad, it has shown in recent studies red wine is rich in antioxidants and can prevent plaque forming bacteria from sticking to the gums, also it may help prevent gum diseases and tooth loss. If you are thinking of switching from red to white wine then we are sorry to tell you that, it will be a much worse choice. White wine is more acidic than red wine so it can be more damaging to the teeth.
Tips to drink wine
Instead of asking you to give up drinking wine, we will share some tips with you on how to drink wine so as to avoid or lessen the staining of the teeth. Here they are –
- Drink water with your wine – Drinking water can wash away the wine sticking to the teeth and prevent the staining of teeth. Preferably swish the water in the mouth before gulping it down. If that is not possible rinse your mouth with water after drinking the wine. Don’t brush your teeth as it may only spread the wine over the teeth rather than getting rid of it.
- Have cheese with wine – Cheese can form a sticky coating on the teeth thereby preventing the wine to come in contact with the enamel. This will prevent it from staining the teeth.
- Eat crunchy food items while you drink wine – Eating food like carrots and other crunchy vegetables can help keep the teeth clean while you sip on that wine because munching on them activates the flow of saliva in the mouth which will reduce the effect of the acid and restore the pH in the mouth.
- Brush your teeth before drinking wine – Wine can stick to the plaque on the teeth so if you brush your teeth prior to drinking wine you can get rid of the plaque making it difficult for the wine to stick to the teeth.
- Eat sugar free gums – Eating gum will stimulate saliva production in the mouth. Saliva will reduce the impact of the acid.
- Use teeth wipes – Keep teeth wipes handy and use them to wipe your teeth after you have had your wine.
- Do not rub lime or lemon or baking soda on your teeth – Lime and lemons themselves are acidic in nature and baking soda can be very abrasive so do not fall for these practices as they will harm your teeth more than doing good.
Even though these prevention practices work pretty well but they cannot protect your teeth from the damaging effects of drinking wine in the long run. You can always go for a teeth whitening procedure at a dental clinic after a holiday season. You can walk in or take an appointment with us at Ensure Dental Care if you are in Saginaw, Texas. Our number is listed below. We can clean your teeth, remove the stains and whiten the enamel of your teeth at the same time. If you are a regular wine drinker, we suggest visiting us at least twice a year.
So, the next time you pick up that glass of wine don’t worry about staining your teeth, just ensure you follow the above tips and practice good oral hygiene as you do normally like brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing your teeth and using a mouthwash. Cheers!
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Ensure Dental Care is a family dentist near you. Ensure Dental Care is the one of the best family dental clinics located in Saginaw Texas. We also get patients from Fort Worth. We accept all major insurance providers. We have an in-house payment plan and accept care credit too. We have a very experienced and professional team of dental practitioners and we look forward to serving you to the best of our abilities. Ensure Dental Care offers emergency dental services. Irrespective of the problem we offer same day emergency treatments. We also offer comprehensive dental exam in Saginaw Tx. We entertain walk ins as well. If you wish to know more about this subject or you want to avail any of our services, please call Ensure Dental Care on 682-213-4114 for an appointment today.
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