Can drinking prosecco damage your teeth
Following some tough years, things are finally improving. Lockdowns have come to an end, we’ve been enjoying the Easter Holiday with summer just around the corner, and the weather may even improve! This is a perfect moment to indulge in a glass of bubbly, but as any dentist will tell you, you could end up with the dreaded “Prosecco Smile” look.
But don’t worry! You can still enjoy some cheeky bubbles in the sunshine; simply follow our five tips below to keep your smile looking excellent.
Reasons why Prosecco is bad for your teeth
To be honest, all types of alcohol are bad for your teeth, but sparkling wines like prosecco can be especially harmful due to their acidity, putting your dental health at risk. Prosecco is one of the worst drinks because of the things that make it is so popular and tasty. Prosecco contains almost one teaspoon of sugar per glass! The sugar can cause damage leading to tooth erosion and putting your dental health at risk. Due to the added fizz from carbonation and its sugary nature, plus the tendency of it being drank over lengthy periods, it ranks higher in terms of tooth damage than beer, wine, and spirits, especially due to its acidity and potential for tooth enamel erosion and the beginning of tooth decay.
What effect does Prosecco have on your teeth?
It starts with a white line just above the gum but can lead to tooth decay and fillings. In simple terms, Prosecco is effective at destroying both the protective enamel on the tooth’s surface and the dentine beneath. Regular drinkers are more likely to have damaged, discoloured, and sore teeth, indicating early signs of tooth decay. All alcoholic drinks are acidic, sweet, and dehydrate the body. Prosecco happens to have the triple whammy of scoring high in all of those categories, which is why it has come to the attention of the British Dental Association and dentists in general and why we’re highlighting it here.
How do you prevent Prosecco Teeth?
Here are our five tips for protecting yourself while still enjoying a drink or two, without putting your teeth at risk:
#1. Add some ice to your glass of prosecco to dilute what you’re drinking and minimise the risk of tooth enamel damage. It’s even better to drink a glass of water between drinks and swirl it around in your mouth a bit before you swallow to protect your teeth from the effects of acidity and reduce the risk of erosion.
#2. Use a straw. This will not only particularly help bypass your front teeth but will also keep your lipstick where it goes on your lips instead of on your glass and cut down on the time the drink is on your teeth.
#3. Between drinks, chew gum to make your saliva run faster and help neutralise some of the acid. If you want an even better and tastier result, eat a piece of alkaline cheese like cheddar.
#4. After your last drink, rinse with mouthwash to speed up the recuperation of your teeth and help counteract the effects of acidity on your dental health.
#5. Wait an hour after your last drink to brush your teeth. Because your drink will have weakened the enamel, you must wait for it to re-mineralise in your saliva before washing it.
Extra Dental Tips
If you use orthodontic aligners, if possible take them out while drinking. The last thing you want is an acidic drink like Prosecco to be trapped between your teeth for hours.
The tips above focus towards Prosecco, but it’s good to remember while drinking bubbly beverages in general, and concentrating on hydration will also help keep the next day’s headache at bay. Now that you’re fully prepared, all you have to do is pop the cork, go out there, and have fun—but remember, excessive sparkling drinks whether prosecco or champagne, could put your teeth at risk!
