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Do you go to a lot of holiday parties where red wine is served? If so, you need to be especially careful; red wine is notorious for staining teeth. Fortunately, if you take the right precautions, you can enjoy the beverage while also keeping your smile looking bright. Below, your dentist has provided a brief overview of why red wine can leave stains on teeth along with some tips for avoiding such discoloration.
Why Does Red Wine Stain Teeth?
The color of red wine comes from special pigments known as anthocyanins. On top of that, the beverage also contains compounds called tannins. When you drink red wine, the tannins cause the anthocyanins to stick to the teeth, thus resulting in stains.
It should be noted that red wine is acidic, meaning drinking it can make your teeth more porous. This is significant because it makes it even easier for the particles that cause stains to get trapped in the enamel.
What Can You Do to Prevent Red Wine From Staining Your Teeth?
If you would rather not give up red wine altogether, the next best option is to take measures to lower the chances of the beverage leaving stains on your teeth. Here are some steps that can help:
- Brush your teeth thoroughly about 30 minutes before drinking red wine. This will help remove the sticky plaque that can potentially attract staining particles.
- When you’re done with your drink, follow it up with some water. Doing so will wash away the wine before it has a chance to leave stains.
- Eat something along with your wine to encourage your mouth to produce more saliva, which can help counteract the effects that acidic beverages can have on your teeth. Dairy products such as cheese are often a good option.
- Consider using toothpaste that has whitening properties. This can help you get rid of surface stains. (Bear in mind, though, that brushing immediately after drinking something acidic could damage your teeth. It’s therefore recommended that you wait at least an hour to brush after drinking red wine.)
If you follow the tips above, you can continue to enjoy red wine throughout the holiday season without worrying too much about the effect it might have on your smile. However, in the event that you end up with stained teeth despite your best efforts, you can always talk to your dentist about having professional teeth whitening performed.
About the Practice
At San Marcos Gentle Dental, we help our patients enjoy beautiful, healthy smiles with a gentle approach to care that utilizes the latest technology. We have many ways to enhance the appearance of your grin; in particular, we can offer professional teeth whitening to get rid of enamel stains. If you would like to schedule a consultation with us, visit our website or call (512) 396-5225.