How to Stop Red Wine from Staining Teeth this Holiday Season

Whether you want something to pair with dinner, or need to unwind during vacation, red wine pairs perfectly with the holiday season. However, it can just as easily discolor your teeth. Fortunately, there are some preventive measures you can take to protect your teeth from that deep red color. Here are a few ways to prevent red wine stains on your teeth during the holiday season.

Why Red Wine Stains Teeth

Wine leaves stains because of its dark red pigmentation, but that isn’t the end of the story. There are also compounds in wine called tannins that allow the colors in wine to set into teeth much more easily. It’s also acidic, which erodes your enamel as you drink. This allows the pigments to penetrate deeper into the tooth than they could otherwise. The combination of color, acidity, and the presence of tannins make red wine especially likely to alter the color of your teeth.

Preventing Red Wine Stains

While drinking red wine carries some aesthetic risks, there are things you can do to make stains much less likely.

• Brush Before You Drink: The pigments in red wine can stick directly to your enamel, but they adhere much more easily to plaque deposits. If you want to prevent stains from building up, brushing and flossing before you drink can help.
• Rinse With Water as You Drink: The less time red wine spends on your teeth, the better chances you have of avoiding pigment buildup.
• Eat Cheese with Wine: Wine and cheese go perfectly together, and the cheese stimulates saliva production that can wash away the harmful pigments.

Getting Rid of Red Wine Stains

Of course, even if you’re careful, too much red wine can still affect the color of your teeth. Brushing with a whitening toothpaste twice a day can help if the discoloration is slight. If it’s severe, you might look into professional teeth whitening—a dentist can make your smile up to eight shades whiter within a single appointment!

That said, so long as you drink in moderation and take note of these tips, you should be able to make it through the holiday season with perfectly white teeth. A glass of wine can make you smile, and with this advice, you can keep that smile shining.

About Our Practice

At Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center, we have two things that set us apart: the expertise of our incredible dental team, and the empathy that informs our care. We have two dentists and several dental hygienists on our staff, and everyone who works here has undergone advanced training in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. We also know that the patients we see are more than just a set of teeth, so we make sure to listen to the individual needs of everyone who visits our office. If you have any questions about taking care of your teeth over the holidays, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (203) 438-8919.