What You Can Do to Avoid Red Wine Teeth Stains This Holiday Season

The holidays are here and that means family and friends are gathering to celebrate, make memories, and enjoy good foods and drinks. One of the most common found around tables is red wine. Whether it is sweet, spicy, or dry, it is a staple for the season. If enjoying a glass with your meal is part of your celebratory ritual, you may want to heed a few tips on how to avoid red wine teeth stains during the holidays. Fortunately, a dentist is here to explain.

What Red Wine Does to Teeth

Although red wine might taste great, it can wreak havoc on your smile. Containing tannins, which is the compound that binds the color (pigment) of the wine to your teeth, as well as acidity, which is known to eat away at tooth enamel over time, it can spell disaster if you’re not careful.

Because tooth enamel is porous, it easily absorbs the tannins, creating stains and discoloration over time. Of course, if you take proper care of your teeth, it makes it much harder for these contents to penetrate the enamel and cause changing tooth color.

Ways to Minimize Stains

To reduce the potential for red wine stains (or any kind of stains) this holiday season, you’ll need to keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Brush your teeth before you have a glass of wine but wait at least 30 minutes before cleaning your teeth afterward.
• Keep a glass of water nearby so that you can sip on it while you consume your wine. This will help to encourage saliva production, which works to neutralize harmful acids.
• See your dentist for regular dental checkups and cleanings to ensure no stains remain on your teeth. If only minor surface stains are present, specialized tools used during a dental cleaning can remove them. This, in turn, reduces your chances of cavities.

Ways to Brighten Your Smile

Should you suffer tooth stains during the holidays, do not worry, as there are solutions available that can help to eliminate discoloration and improve the aesthetics of your smile. These include:

• Veneers
• Teeth Whitening
• All-Ceramic Dental Restorations

Depending on which method you choose, you can expect to see drastically new results in little time. With veneers, these thin sheaths of porcelain can be placed over the front surfaces of your teeth in just two appointments. With teeth whitening, you can receive customized trays and high-grade bleaching gel at home to brighten your smile in just two weeks. And with all-ceramic dental restorations, your dentist can create custom-made dental crowns, bridges, inlays, and onlays to better protect weakened teeth as well as improve the look of your smile.

While it is always better to avoid stains, you do not need to be alarmed if you should require cosmetic dental care to brighten your teeth a few shades. With the help of a trusted professional and a commitment to be mindful of your red wine intake this holiday season, you can enjoy time with family and friends without worrying about your smile.

About the Author
Dr. John E. Russo earned his dental DMD degree with honors from the University of Florida in 1993. He also earned his Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) from Wright-Patterson Medical Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. As a skilled dentist, he can improve smiles using cosmetic dentistry, which enhances the look and feel of a person’s smile. Whether it is veneers, teeth whitening, or all-ceramic restorations, he can deliver beautiful results that eliminate stains and improve confidence. Visit our website or call (407) 470-1224 to learn more.

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