A good glass of red wine can be a delight—but the purple stains on your teeth afterward? Not so much. Luckily, there are several effective ways to enjoy your wine without worrying about your smile.
Rinse your mouth with water
One of the simplest ways to prevent wine stains is to rinse your mouth with water immediately after drinking. This helps wash away the pigments before they can stick to your enamel.
Eat some bread
Bread stimulates saliva production, which protects your teeth from acid exposure. Additionally, it acts as a natural “scrub brush,” helping to remove wine residue from your teeth.
Avoid white wine before red wine
It may sound surprising, but drinking white wine before red wine can actually make your teeth more susceptible to staining. White wine has a lower pH, which makes your enamel more porous and more likely to absorb red wine’s dark pigments.
Use a straw technique
Drinking red wine through a straw might look unusual, but it minimizes contact between the wine and your teeth—reducing the risk of staining.
Choose red wine with lower tannins
Some red wines stain teeth more than others. Wines with high tannin content, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, tend to cause more discoloration than lower-tannin wines like Pinot Noir. If you frequently get wine-stained teeth, opt for wines with lower tannins.
Wait before brushing your teeth
It might be tempting to brush your teeth right away, but it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes. Red wine contains acid that temporarily softens enamel, and brushing too soon can actually damage your teeth.
Aerate your wine before drinking
A great way to reduce staining compounds in red wine is to let it aerate before drinking. Using a wine aerator or pouring it into a decanter can help soften tannins, which may lower the risk of tooth discoloration.
Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing sugar-free gum after drinking red wine stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away pigments and neutralize acidity in your mouth.
Use a stain-protecting toothpaste
Some toothpastes are specifically designed to prevent stains. If you often notice red wine discoloration, switching to a stain-fighting toothpaste may help keep your teeth looking brighter.
Visit your dentist regularly
If staining is a persistent issue, a professional cleaning can help remove stubborn discoloration and keep your smile fresh and bright.
The article is based on information from DR