How to Keep Your Smile Bright While Drinking Red Wine During the Holidays

The holidays are a time of celebration with friends and family. Oftentimes, this includes enjoying red wine at parties and with meals. While it tastes delicious and even offers some health perks when drank in moderation, it can sometimes not be as beneficial on your teeth. If you are not careful, it can stain your pearly whites. Your dentist in Littleton is here to give you some tips to keep your smile radiant while enjoying your glass of red wine during the festivities!

Why Does Red Wine Stain Teeth?

Unlike some other alcoholic choices, red wine is a highly pigmented beverage. Drinking it on a regular basis and without extra care given to your pearly whites can leave extrinsic stains on your teeth. These types of stains are when discoloration occurs on the surface of your tooth enamel. There are three substances in wine that cause this:

• Anthocyanins – These water-soluble pigments may appear red, purple, blue, or black depending on their pH level.
• Tannins – Found in things like red wine, coffee, and tea, tannins can stick to your tooth enamel and leave it stained.
• Acid – This erodes your enamel, which allows the naturally yellow dentin to show through and make your smile look discolored.

4 Tips for Avoiding Stains While Drinking Red Wine

There’s good news though! With some extra care, you can still enjoy your glass of Merlot or Cabernet without causing it to stain your smile. Here are a few tips:

• Clean your teeth – Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth to remove plaque and food particles before you begin your holiday celebrations. This will lower your chances of red wine stains.
• Rinse your mouth – After you finish enjoying a glass of wine, you can drink a glass of water. This will prevent the tannins, acid, and anthocyanins from settling on your pearly whites.
• Eat as you drink – Cheese, fruit, and vegetables go great with red wine. They’ll also help prevent stains by acting as a barrier between your teeth and the acid in red wine. Fresh fruits and veggies also help you produce more saliva, which can wash away food particles and help neutralize acids.
• Consider visiting your cosmetic dentist – Cosmetic dental treatments, like veneers or professional teeth whitening, are a wonderful way to not only keep your smile bright but improve it! These specialized services from your dentist ensure a more radiant, stain-free smile.

As you can see, you can still say “Cheers!” with red wine during the holidays with your loved ones. With these helpful tips, your smile will stay as sparkling as ever while still indulging in the occasional drink!

About the Author

Dr. Susan Kutis and her team at Blue Sage Dental serve the families of Littleton and the surrounding areas. She offers a wide range of cosmetic dental services, from minor changes to a full makeover, to keep your smile radiant all year long! Voted Top Dentist by Denver’s 5280 Magazine, she uses personalized plans and advanced dental technology to help you achieve your best oral health. To schedule a consultation, contact her through her website or call (303) 973-1112.