Yes, drinking red wine does cause your teeth to become stained. The tannins in red wine can adhere to your teeth and cause staining. If you drink red wine regularly, you may notice that your teeth become progressively more stained over time.

Similarly, red wine contains chromogens, which are molecules that can readily absorb light, and this results in the red color that we see in wine. When these molecules come into contact with teeth, they can adhere to the surface of the teeth and cause staining. 

Tannins further enhance the ability of chromogens to stick to the enamel.

The good news is that there are ways to remove these stains and keep your teeth looking white and bright. Let’s find out how to avoid staining your teeth after drinking red wine.

How to Avoid Staining Your Teeth After Drinking Red Wine

Here are some valuable tips to prevent teeth staining after drinking red wine:

1. Use a Straw

This may seem like an odd suggestion, but sipping your red wine through a straw can help to avoid contact with your teeth, limiting exposure to the tannins.  If this doesn’t suit you, try switching to white wine

2. Rinse Your Mouth With Water After Drinking

This will help to remove any residual wine from your teeth and will also help to keep your mouth hydrated (which can prevent staining)

3. Avoid Tobacco Products

Tobacco use is a major contributor to tooth stains, so avoiding it altogether is your best bet.

4. Whiten your teeth

Teeth whitening options range from toothpaste with whitening ingredients to professional teeth whitening sessions overseen by your dentist.  There are a number of whitening toothpastes on the market that can help to remove stains and keep your teeth looking their best.

In-office teeth whitening such as Opalescence, uses higher concentrations of active ingredients to achieve visible results more quickly, usually, results are 7-10 shades lighter in a single visit. This must be applied by a dental professional.

Custom whitening trays can be made which involves adding gel into the tray and covering your teeth.  This method is more affordable but not as fast as the in-office whitening system.  Ultimately, a person can achieve the same results using the whitening gel and trays consistently for 2-4 weeks.

5. Use an Electric Toothbrush 

A thorough oral cleaning is fundamental to ensure that no deep stains are left in your enamel after brushing.  The bristles work at a fast or sometimes sonic speed, rapidly scouring away the layers of plaque and particles that stain teeth.  An electric toothbrush requires less force and is great for people with limited dexterity.

6. See Your Dentist for Regular Cleanings

Getting your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis can help to remove any build-up of stains.   A dental professional uses ultrasonic cleaners which can get into the hardest-to-reach territories in the mouth where unsightly stains can hide. 

Conclusion

If you’re like me and enjoy a nice glass of red wine from time to time, be sure to follow the aforementioned tips for avoiding stained teeth. And if you do happen to stain your teeth, don’t worry – Bayview Dental Associates can help get your smile back to its dazzling best.

Use the form below to schedule your appointment and get in on the offer before it’s too late!