Is Red Wine Good for Your Teeth?

Red Wine Good for TeethThanksgiving is right around the corner; this means good food and drinks. Speaking of drinks, red wine will likely be served at the dinner table for the grownups. Health research has established that wine in moderation is good for you. Is red wine good for your teeth, though? Find out what our family dentists have to say on this subject.

Studies Show Red Wine Is Good for the Teeth

Recent research shows that red wine may actually help fight cavities. The grape seed extract in wine is believed to slow the growth of bacteria. Grape contains a phytonutrient known as proanthocyanidins, an antioxidant also found in other foods like apples and dark chocolate.

The studies suggest proanthocyanidins kill the bacteria responsible for the formation of biofilm. Biofilm is responsible for tooth decay and dental caries.

Please keep in mind, though, that this revelation is not a license to freely overindulge. Our cosmetic dentists caution that red wine is notorious for staining teeth. This can be counteracted, however, by consuming your wine with food, which you’ll likely be doing anyway if you’re drinking during Thanksgiving.

What About the Acidity of Wine?

There is concern, though, that wine contains acidic properties, which can erode enamel. Red wine is rated about 3.6 in the pH scale, making it mildly acidic. White wine, on the other hand, is far more acidic with a pH scale around 3. For this reason, we recommend sticking with red wine simply because it’s less detrimental to enamel.

Wine Drinker or Not, Your Teeth Need Good Care

Contact Mukilteo Dental Arts to make an appointment before or after Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holidays, but don’t let the festivities make you neglect your checkups. Go ahead, though, and uncork that two decades-old red wine sitting in your cellar. Our oral surgeons believe that an occasional red wine is good for the teeth and also does the body good.

Edited by Justin Vorhees

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