The holiday season is upon us once again, which means that festive celebrations will soon be taking place where the wine will be flowing freely. Red wine is a holiday staple that is known for bringing people together, complementing delicious meals, and making otherwise boring Christmas parties all the more memorable. As wonderful as enjoying a delicious glass of red wine (or three) can be, it does have one drawback: staining your teeth. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy your favourite vino this holiday season without compromising your dazzling white smile in the process. Check out these simple tips from Dr Britt at The Grove Dental Rouse Hill to help you do just that.

Brush Smarter

It goes without saying that brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is a critical part of maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile, especially during the holidays. But did you know that the time that you choose to brush your teeth can play a role when drinking red wine, too? Before you head to a holiday party where you know you’ll be drinking, be sure to brush and floss your teeth about thirty minutes beforehand. This is an important step in preventing tooth discolouration since the pigment in red wine can more easily stick to plaque. Similarly, it’s equally important not to brush your teeth until at least half an hour after drinking since the acid in red wine can soften the enamel of your teeth, which will become damaged if you brush before it has a chance to harden. So, while you may be tempted to brush the wine off your teeth right away, it’s best to wait a bit.

Eat While You Drink

Saliva plays a vital role in helping your mouth wash away food particles and bacteria that can cause tooth decay and discoloration. With this in mind, try to snack on healthy foods while you drink to increase saliva production and prevent damage to your teeth. Looking for a healthy snack that pairs well with wine but won’t harm your pearly whites this holiday season? Cheese is a wonderful option. Not only is it festive and delicious, but it won’t cause stains or erosion. Better still, the calcium in cheese can help keep your enamel strong.

Water is Your Friend

Drinking water between glasses of wine isn’t only an effective way to prevent a holiday hangover. Swishing water in your mouth after drinking red wine can help wash away sticky food particles and harmful bacteria that can damage or discolour the surface of your teeth. Like snacking on cheese while you drink alcohol, consuming water at your holiday get-together will also help produce saliva that can prevent unsightly red wine stains from forming.

Don’t Mix Wines

If you think that white wines are safer for your teeth than reds, think again. While it’s true that white wines won’t leave your teeth looking as dull as their red counterparts, the acid in white wine can cause your enamel to erode more quickly. As a result, drinking red wine after white wine can cause the pigments in the red wine to stick more easily. The best way to protect your enamel and prevent stains from forming is to pick one type of wine and stick with it.

Keep Your Smile Bright

Sometimes, no matter how careful you are about protecting your teeth, tooth discolouration is inevitable. If your smile has lost its brightness, it may be time to consider undergoing a professional whitening treatment. Dr Britt and her trusted team at The Grove Hill Dental Rouse Hill can help you keep your smile bright, white, and beautiful this holiday season in as little as one quick appointment. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to keep your smile white!