Tips to Avoid Red Wine Teeth Stains During the Holidays

Cold weather, colors changing across the landscape, store shelves full of green-and-red decorations – the wonderful holiday season is here! You may look forward to eating delicious food and sipping red wine during all the festivities. However, red wine is known to stain teeth. If you’re not careful, you could start the new year with a discolored smile. Read on to learn the reason for red wine teeth stains and how you can keep your grin bright this holiday season!

Why Does Red Wine Stain Teeth?

Red wine causes extrinsic staining which means the discoloration results from the colored compounds contacting your enamel. It happens because of the intensely colored pigments interacting with the front-facing position of your teeth.

When you drink red wine, there are three threats your pearly whites are encountering: anthocyanins, tannins, and acid. The combination of these elements can lead to a discolored smile. For that reason, you must take proper care of your enamel and prevent plaque buildup to keep the wine pigment from sticking to your teeth.

How to Avoid Red Wine Teeth

You don’t have to forego red wine this holiday season! If you want to avoid staining and discoloration, you can easily accomplish that by taking proper precautions. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Clean your teeth. Before heading to your holiday party, make sure you thoroughly brush and floss your teeth to remove plaque. Doing so will minimize your chances of staining since wine pigment clings to the film of plaque on your smile.
• Rinse your mouth. It’s always a good idea to drink water while consuming alcohol to keep you hydrated. In addition, taking a swig after sipping wine will wash away the staining particles.
• Eat as you drink. Consider munching on cheese and vegetables as you drink. They’ll act as a barrier to the acid in red wine. Plus, these foods stimulate saliva, helping reduce the effects of acid and restoring minerals to areas of the teeth.
• Use whitening toothpaste. It can effectively remove surface stains that naturally develop over time while also preventing new stains from forming. If you want to keep your smile bright throughout the year, you should brush with whitening toothpaste.

Don’t let the fear of red wine teeth stains keep you from enjoying the holiday season. With these tips, you can ensure your smile stays as sparkling as ever while still indulging in the occasional drink!

About the Author

Dr. Arabella Christian earned her dental doctorate from the University of Connecticut. She continued her dental education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore where she completed a three-year residency program in the specialty of Endodontics. She’s a member of the Connecticut State Dental Association. If the aforementioned tips don’t prevent you from developing red wine teeth stains, she offers Zoom! in-office teeth whitening or take-home teeth whitening kits. Schedule an appointment on her website or call (860) 589-2794.