How Can You Avoid Red Wine Stains on Your Teeth During the Holidays?

You’re at a holiday party, and red wine is being served. It can be all too tempting to simply take a sip without a second thought. But before you indulge in your drink, it’s important to remember that red wine is rather infamous for staining teeth. As such, you may want to take some precautions so that you can enjoy your beverage without having to worry about what your smile will look like afterward. Here’s a quick overview from your dentist on what you need to know about red wine and dental stains.

How Can Red Wine Discolor Your Smile?

There are plenty of darkly pigmented foods and beverages that can stain your teeth if you’re not careful. Naturally, red wine is included in this group. It contains pigments known as anthocyanins and chemical compounds called tannins. The tannins can cause the anthocyanins to stick to your teeth, resulting in discoloration.

To make matters worse, wine is an acidic beverage that can make your teeth more porous. This is an issue because it’s easier for stains to adhere to porous enamel. In short, red wine doesn’t just have the potential to stain teeth; it also makes them more susceptible to staining in general.

How Can You Avoid Red Wine Stains?

One guaranteed way to prevent red wine from discoloring your smile is to avoid it altogether. But if this idea doesn’t appeal to you, the next best thing is to take whatever steps you can to protect your teeth from staining. Here are some helpful tips:

• Brush Your Teeth First: Did you know that the particles that cause dental stains can cling to the plaque on your teeth? To minimize your chances of discoloration, you should brush thoroughly before you pour yourself a glass of red wine.
• Switch to a Whitening Toothpaste: If you know that your teeth will be exposed to foods and beverages that can cause stains, you may want to think about using whitening toothpaste for the time being in order to protect your smile from discoloration.
• Rinse Your Mouth with Water Once You’re Done: You shouldn’t brush your teeth immediately after drinking wine since the beverage can weaken your enamel. However, you can still rinse with water to clean your mouth and wash away any red wine that may still be on your teeth.
• Eat Foods That Stimulate Saliva: Saliva helps keep the teeth clean while also protecting them from acidic beverages. Try pairing your red wine with fibrous foods that can boost saliva production, such as broccoli or hard cheeses.

Discolored teeth can put a damper on your holidays, but luckily there are plenty of things you can do to keep your smile looking bright. And if stains appear despite your best efforts, you can always ask your dentist about teeth whitening.

About the Author

Dr. Jeffrey F. Hermen has over 30 years of dental experience, and he has been on the board of the Oklahoma County Dental Society for more than two decades. At his practice in Oklahoma City, he is proud to offer teeth whitening as a solution for patients with dull or discolored smiles. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hermen during the holiday season, visit his website or call (405) 621-2100.