Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dental treatments people ask for. Whether you opt for in-office whitening, or at-home bleaching, a brighter, whiter smile will make you look younger, and give you more confidence in your smile. But just because you have newly whitened teeth, does that mean you have to avoid that tempting glass of red wine at your next holiday party? Your Chicago dentist, Dr. Brent Engelberg, has some great tips for you to be able to have your white teeth, and drink your red wine, too.
Enjoying Red Wine without Teeth Staining
- Brush Before You Drink: When you see someone with a purple smile at a party, the stains are actually a result of wine’s dark color sticking to the plaque on their teeth. If you give yourself a good brushing before drinking a glass of wine, your teeth will be much less susceptible to discoloration. However, don’t brush immediately after you drink wine. The high acidity of vino will soften tooth enamel and put your teeth at risk for damage. Wait 30 minutes to an hour before brushing and flossing.
- Chase Red Wine with Seltzer: Seltzer can take away stains that are developing. Try swishing a few sips in your mouth after drinking wine, and see if all the evidence magically disappears.
- Indulge in Wine’s Best Friend – Cheese: What goes better with wine than cheese? A common party snack, cheese coats teeth with calcium which can prevent the teeth discoloration sometimes seen from red wine. Hard cheeses are your best stain fighters.
- Eat Your Veggies: High fiber, raw veggies that are often served alongside cheese and crackers at parties are a natural tooth scrubber. They also help build up saliva production to keep your mouth free of acid and plaque, so less staining will occur.
- Gently Wipe Away Stains: If you sense your teeth are getting as purple as Barney the Dinosaur, you might simply excuse yourself to the restroom to wipe away those tannins. A plain tissue should do the trick, but there are even products on the market with added ingredients designed to wipe away wine stains from teeth. Remember, your teeth have been exposed to acid, so wipe gently.
Teeth Whitening in the Chicago Area
Don’t worry that if you whiten your teeth you’ll never be able to enjoy red wine again. If you are interested in teeth whitening, we offer two types of professional teeth whitening. To schedule an appointment with our Chicago dentist office, call 847-259-6988. We are proud to offer cosmetic dentistry services in Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Northwest Chicago Suburbs, and Northern Chicago Suburbs
