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Posted on 7/13/2019 by Rho Family Dentistry |
 Keeping your teeth white and bright is something people strive for. One of the obstacles to maintaining white teeth is the food you eat. There are many foods that can stain your teeth and are more difficult to clean off of the teeth. Red wine is something many people think of as a food that will stain the teeth. The question they need to consider is if switching to white wine will help. Does white wine stain the teeth less than red wine? Why Red Wine Stains the TeethTo know if white wine will stain the teeth less than red, you first need to understand why red wine stains the teeth. There are pigments in the red wine that adhere to the enamel of the teeth. These pigment producing chemicals are known as chromogens. Red wine also has tannins in it that help the chromogens adhere to the teeth. What Makes White Wine DifferentThe white wine does not have the chromogens. So that would make people think that it cannot stain the teeth. That is not true. White wine is highly acidic. The acid can eat away at the enamel and expose the dentin of the teeth. Over time the teeth will take on a yellowish stain. Preventing the StainThere are steps to take that can prevent any wine from staining the teeth. The first thing is not to brush your teeth right away. Because of the acid in wine, brushing ends up spreading it around causing more staining. Instead, wait 30 minutes. The second thing to do is swallow the wine. The longer it is in your mouth, the more time it has to stain the teeth. It is also possible to drink wine from a straw to minimize the chance of staining. This keeps the wine out of contact with the teeth. Red and white wine can stain your teeth, but it does not have to. Like anything to do with alcohol, moderation is the key and taking care of your teeth properly will help you keep your white teeth even when you drink wine. For more information about this or any other oral health issue, contact our office to schedule an appointment. |
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