Christmas and New Year’s Eve are the two most popular holidays for wine sales in the United States, directly followed by Thanksgiving. From mulled wines with holiday spices to hearty glasses of Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots, chances are, if you’re spending time with family over Christmas and New Year’s, you’re going to be enjoying red wine. Unfortunately, these tannin-saturated drinks can also cause your smile to become stained, especially if you enjoy red wine in excess. Read on to learn some helpful tips to prevent staining as well as the science behind it.
How Does Red Wine Cause Teeth to Stain?
The American Dental Association categorizes dental stains caused by red wine as extrinsic, which means that they only penetrate the outermost portion of the teeth, called the enamel. But why does this occur? Red wine contains three key components, two of which are compounds, that can impact your smile:
- Anthocyanins: These are what give the grapes that red wine are made from their deep, purple-y color, and contribute to staining. In fact, they’re found in a number of additional fruits, like pomegranates and blueberries as well.
- Tannins: Tannins are another type of coloring compound in certain foods and drinks that give them their rich appearance as well as their taste, as tannins often contribute to bitterness. However, this flavor is often offset and complimented by incorporating tannin-concentrated fruits with other flavors, like in chocolate, coffee, and wine. They’re able to stain teeth by attaching to the plaque and dental enamel.
- Acidic: Finally, the high acidity of red wine makes the teeth more vulnerable to enamel by eroding the less porous outer layer of teeth, revealing the even more porous dentin below. When this occurs, the teeth can look yellower in appearance due to the natural shade of dentin as well as feel more sensitive.
Tips to Prevent Wine-Stained Teeth
You don’t have to give up red wine completely over the holidays in order to prevent dental staining. Here are some tips to minimize the chances of staining:
- Limit your intake of red wine over the holidays as well as other foods and drinks with tannins, like black tea and coffee.
- Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once daily to remove plaque from the teeth, which attract tannins.
- Avoid sipping on red wine for long periods of time, the constant exposure will increase your chances of experiencing dental staining.
- Drink through a straw to keep the wine from directly coming into contact with your teeth.
- Invest in teeth whitening from your cosmetic dentist in St. Albans to brighten your smile.
With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be able to maintain a whiter and healthier-looking smile as you visit all of your friends and family over the holidays, allowing you to feel your best as you celebrate!
About the Practice
Drs. Tyler Aten, Kelsey Cone, and Mekayla Davico are our three highly experienced cosmetic dentists at St. Albans Dental. Together, they offer a wide range of life-changing treatments, ranging from non-invasive professional teeth whitening to dramatically transformative dental veneers. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit St. Albans Dental’s website or call 802-524-4844.