Avoiding 'Wine Teeth' at Those Holiday Parties

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Dec. 11, 2023 -- The holidays are all about parties, and parties are all about drinking wine. But if you're a red wine lover, how do you avoid stained teeth?

“When you drink red wine, you’re encountering a triple threat to your teeth’s whiteness: anthocyanins, which are the pigments in grapes that give red wine its rich color; tannins, which help bind the pigment to your teeth; and the acidity found in wine, which etches your enamel, making it more porous and easier for the stain to stick,” explained Uchenna Akosa, a dentist who heads Rutgers Health University Dental Associates in New Brunswick, the faculty practice of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. “The strength of your enamel and how prone you are to plaque build-up is key to how much your teeth might stain.”

But wine isn't the only food or drink that can damage your teeth, she added.

"Anything that can stain a shirt can stain your teeth, such as black coffee, black tea, berries, balsamic vinegar, chocolates, sweets and smoking," she said in a Rutgers news release. "Drinks like soda and juices harm the enamel and make teeth more susceptible to stains.”

As for red wine, Akosa has some tips for preventing stained teeth:

  • Brush your teeth 30 minutes before drinking, but not right after since toothpaste can cause more etching
  • Don’t drink white wine before red wine because the extra acid in white wine will exacerbate the staining
  • Swishing your mouth with water after drinking wine helps cut the wine’s acidity and stimulates saliva flow, which is critical in fighting harmful bacteria and maintaining the ideal pH in your mouth
  • Chewing food is equally important because it also stimulates saliva Cheese is ideal to pair with wine as it stimulates saliva production and lowers the acidity from the wine
  • Brush your teeth correctly and get regular dental cleanings to keep your enamel strong: Cleanings can help remove plaque, which can help cause cavities
  • When brushing your teeth, use a soft toothbrush. If you have gum problems, use an extra-soft brush. Place the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and gently brush back and forth in short strokes. You should brush the outside, inside and chewing surfaces of your teeth
  • Before bed, use a water flosser or dental floss to remove particles caught between your teeth

    • While all toothpastes typically contain five basic ingredients -- fluoride, glycerin, sorbitol, calcium carbonate and sodium lauryl sulfate -- not all whitening toothpastes are safe for your teeth. Be careful of products that contain ingredients such as charcoal or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Rather, look for natural ingredients such as organic coconut oil, activated charcoal or lemon oil for whitening, Akosa said.

    Sources

  • Rutgers University, news release, Dec. 6, 2023

    • Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2023-12-12 02:15

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords