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When it comes to the holiday, many people love to enjoy a glass of red wine during the events and gatherings they have planned. While this beverage can help you relax in the moment, you should know that there is a risk of staining with it. The good news is that you can do your part to keep your smile bright during the season. Here’s how this drink can cause discoloration and tips to enjoy it without worry.
How Is Wine Able to Stain My Teeth?
To learn how to effectively prevent stains, you should know a bit about why wine increases your odds of this dental flaw. It’s mainly due to its acidity, chromogens, and tannins that are inside it.
First off, the acids soften your enamel. This makes it more porous, allowing pigments to penetrate this layer a bit easier. Chromogens are those dark particles that can cause discoloration and tannins help bind them on the surface of your smile, leading to a purple or grey tint!
What Can I Do to Avoid Stains?
Thankfully, despite the traits that wine has, you can do your part in preventing discoloration from occurring. Here are a few simple tips to remember while you are enjoying your holiday gatherings:
- Brush Your Teeth Beforehand: Doing this habit at least 30 minutes before you start enjoying red wine can help keep your teeth strong. It’ll get rid of plaque that dark particles also stick to, while making sure the acidity of it can’t cause too much trouble.
- Take Sips of Water In Between: Rinsing or swishing water every couple of minutes can help get rid of pigments that are leftover. Not only that, but you can also keep your mouth moist, which slows down the staining process.
- Eat While Drinking: Raw vegetables and fruits (such as apples, celery, and carrots) can help clean your teeth as you chew and promote saliva production. Dairy products, like cheese, can counteract the acidity in wine as well.
- Use a Straw: A simple but effective way to avoid stains is to just use this handy tool! Sipping through it will lower how often the drink touches your enamel, so it won’t stain as easily.
Keep these tips in mind while you’re out enjoying this holiday season. That way, you can keep your smile bright. You can always call your dentist to have it whitened if you want that boost to a confident grin.
About the Author
Dr. Ivan Paskalev earned his second dental degree from Tufts University in Boston. With over 20 years of experience, he is happy to help the Eugene community get the aesthetic teeth they love. Whether you want a quick hour-long whitening treatment in-office or a convenient take-home kit, you can get results that are up to eight shades brighter. If you do end up developing some wine stains, schedule an appointment or call Dr. Paskalev’s office at (541) 485-0272.