How to Prevent Red Wine Stains on Teeth

If you're thinking about giving up red wine because it stains your teeth, don't pour out that pinot quite yet. Good oral health habits allow you to drink red wine without turning red from embarrassment. Have your merlot and drink it, too, with these easy suggestions for preventing red wine stains.

Use a whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse: Look for a whitening toothpaste or mouth rinse that displays the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The ADA seal indicates the product is both safe and effective at removing surface stains from teeth. For best results, choose a whitening toothpaste that containing blue covarine-a special ingredient that tricks the eye into thinking your teeth look brighter.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables: Mouth-watering foods produce saliva that washes away chromagen (the coloring agent in red wine and tea that stains teeth). Celery, carrots, cucumbers, pears, apples and certain other fruits and vegetables are especially good at preventing red wine from staining your teeth. The combination of fiber and saliva acts like an invisible toothbrush.

Chew sugarless gum: Chewing gum also helps your mouth produce saliva and gives it something to do besides drink more wine. Choose sugarless gum to prevent tooth decay caused by sugar.

Use wine wipes: Disposable wine wipes do just as their name suggests. They literally wipe away the acid and coloring agents that stain teeth. These special tooth-cleaning wipes often contain ingredients like salt and glycerin that prevent and remove tooth stains caused by drinking red wine.

Floss often: Food and bacteria form sticky plaque between your teeth that attracts stains. Flossing your teeth removes unwelcome plaque that attracts staining agents (and will also make you more popular with your dental hygienist).

Time your tooth brushing: Wait an hour after drinking red wine before brushing your teeth to avoid brushing the acid from the wine into your tooth enamel. Enamel erosion from acid can create small grooves and ridges in your teeth that provide a place for stains to nest.

By following these easy oral care practices, you won't have to give up your glass of red wine with dinner or even switch to white wine-the latter a common mistake made by some well-meaning wine lovers. Though white wine does not color your teeth, it contains more acid than red wine, and the acid can create pits in your teeth's enamel that attract stains from other colorful foods and beverages.

Simple good habits, such as using the right oral care products, wiping and flossing your teeth, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables are just a few of the ways you can continue to enjoy drinking red wine without ruining your smile.

Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/whitening-toothpaste/AN01818
http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-teeth-10/slideshow-foods-stain-teeth
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-whiter-teeth.htm