Drinking wine can be a lot of fun until it starts to stain your teeth. What many people don't realize is that both red and white wine can cause stains because both types are acidic enough to etch tooth enamel over time. When your teeth become etched, it's easier for staining foods and beverages to bind to your teeth and leave a visible stain. Red wine has extra staining power because of its chromogen, which is responsible for the beverage's deep red color. Tannins in red wine bind the chromogen to the teeth, resulting in a purplish-gray discoloration. Knowing how to protect your teeth from stains can help you maintain the appearance of your teeth, even while continuing to drink wine on a regular basis.

Keep Up with Dental Appointments

Food particles that are stuck to your teeth will absorb wine while you drink, causing the wine to spend more time against the enamel. Clean, slick teeth that are professionally cleaned are less likely to have food particles stuck to their enamel and are less likely to absorb wine during meals. See your dentist twice annually or as often as recommended to ensure that your teeth are always as clean as possible.

Brush before Drinking

Brushing before drinking wine will help remove any excess food stuck between your teeth so you can be sure that your teeth will be as clean as possible when you start to drink. Be sure to give yourself several minutes between your tooth brushing and your first sip of wine to ensure that the toothpaste flavor is gone from your mouth.

If you're drinking out at a restaurant or at a friend's house and don't have your toothbrush and toothpaste with you, chew sugarless gum before drinking to clean your teeth.

Swish Water in Your Mouth between Sips

Swishing water or sparkling water between sips of wine will help cleanse your palate and wash away the wine before it can do damage. This is especially helpful when you're drinking somewhere away from home and are thus unable to brush your teeth before your meal.

Get Your Teeth Whitened

Cosmetic dental services are an effective way to keep your teeth extra white, even if you drink wine on a daily basis. If your teeth are stained or discolored from your regular wine consumption, tooth whitening can help return your teeth to their original, beautiful white color. Look for cosmetic dentistry in Fayetteville, NC or your local area to inquire about tooth whitening services and other ways that you can keep your teeth looking their best.