Does Red Wine Really Stain Teeth? [Explained]
Red wine is a staple many people drink to unwind at the end of the day or enjoy drinking it at social gatherings such as parties, dinners, and special events. Among avid wine drinkers, red wine is the most popular even compared to white or rosé wine.
The much-loved alcoholic beverage is a beautiful deep red that leaves many wondering if drinking it will stain teeth. If you are curious to know whether or not it will stain your teeth, keep reading.
Will Drinking Red Wine Stain Teeth?
The taste of red wine, the benefits, and relaxation it offers are reasons many people like to drink it on a regular basis. Still, the attractive color is something that can also leave people wondering if it will have a bad effect on teeth.
It is true that red wine can damage your teeth and cause discolouration. At first, you will notice the soft red to purple hue on your teeth.
Over time, the color of your teeth may change and appear more blue, grey, or brown. The change in colour takes place due to the tannins, natural dyes, and acids within red wine.
Tips to Keep Your Teeth Stain-Free
If you want to keep your pearly whites as you sip on red wine, there are a few tips you can do to ensure you will not experience staining. Most people may think to grab the toothbrush after drinking, but it’s actually better to do it before.
This is because you risk damaging your tooth enamel if you brush afterward: this is from the acidity in our food and drink. Brushing straightaway after acidic food and drinks such as wine would likely rub the acid into the teeth. Many people are not aware our enamel is more vulnerable after a meal or beverage.
Brushing your teeth beforehand minimises chances of staining and lowers the risk of tooth decay and gum disease in the future if you are a regular drinker. You will have the best oral health when you work with a dentist for professional cleaning and general care.
Another good idea is to eat as you drink alcohol. Eating foods like cheese and crackers serve as a barrier to protect the teeth from the acidic content of alcohol.
Once you finish drinking you should always give your mouth a quick rinse. A very thorough mouth rinse with water after a meal would be more advisable than immediate brushing for neutralising the acidity and prevention of stains. This helps prevent the red wine from sticking behind. If you do want to brush your teeth afterward, wait at least 30 minutes to prevent possible damage to the enamel.
The type of toothpaste you choose is also important. You want to use one capable of removing stains and protecting your enamel. However, you should avoid the use of abrasive content such as baking soda / bicarbonate in daily toothpastes as they leave your teeth vulnerable. Also important to note is to avoid tooth whitening products immediately after consumption of food and drink, particularly the acidic types.
Can you guess why? It has to do with enamel again. Things like whitening strips or gels remove the stains on our teeth bit by bit, but it can also cause significant sensitivity. Harsh abrasives like bicarbonate and salt or charcoal can rub the enamel and scratch the surface, with long term use leading to worn or lost enamel surfaces.
Enjoy Your Wine
If you are uncertain if drinking wine will stain teeth, you should understand the chances are rare when you maintain good oral health. You can drink the delicious red nectar from the gods whenever you want without worry when you follow these tips.
You can have an amazing set of teeth that remains pristine when you follow-up and meet with a dentist often. Contact us to book an appointment and get the service you need to maintain the best oral health and white teeth.