A dentist has warned that a festive drink could negatively impact your smile this Christmas.
If you’re planning to enjoy a glass or two of Prosecco this December, it might lead to your teeth taking on a less -than -desirable shade. Dr Nyree Whitley, chief clinical officer at mydentist, shared her professional insight.
She said: “I’m afraid I have some bad news for Prosecco lovers – while an enjoyable festive tipple, the acidity in Prosecco can damage your enamel and could, in turn, lead to discolouration.”
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She suggested that to maintain a bright smile over the holidays, you should consider reducing your Prosecco intake or use a straw when drinking to lessen the impact of its acidity, which temporarily softens the enamel.
With over two decades of clinical practice and serving as group clinical director since October 2017, Dr Whitley also warns against brushing your teeth immediately after consuming Prosecco – or any alcohol – as it can “spread the acid around and could cause damage to your enamel”.
Since enamel is crucial for safeguarding your teeth against harm and stains, she recommends waiting for 30 minutes before brushing if you’ve had a drink before bed. Last Christmas, the term ‘Prosecco teeth’ became a hot topic across social media channels as dental health started to take centre stage during festive celebrations.
Spotlight Oral Care amplified concerns through a TikTok posting where dentist Dr Vanessa Creaven shared warnings about festive beverages: “Drinks like Prosecco and Champagne are notoriously fizzy but they’re also very acidic.”
“This is the perfect combination to cause extreme and significant erosion to your teeth. Erosion on your teeth looks like thinning enamel, it looks like translucent enamel, it looks like your greying enamel.”
To mitigate these effects, she suggests enjoying celebratory bubbly through a straw and chewing gum which stimulates saliva production, which acts as a “natural buffer.”
Those noticing increased tooth sensitivity should consider contacting their dentist for a professional examination as suggested by Dr Whiley, as this can sometimes indicate the onset of gum disease.
Stains or spots appearing white, grey, brown, or black on your teeth could point towards tooth decay, often driven by heightened sugar levels in many beloved holiday treats and drinks. It’s crucial, particularly now, to remain vigilant about such sugar intake.
Dr Whitley has suggested a tooth-friendly alternative. She said: “If you have a sweet tooth and tend to reach for sweet, sugary treats, then you may want to switch them out for something a little softer and less high in sugar content, such as dark chocolate. While lower in sugar content, chocolate will still provide you with satisfaction of fulfilling cravings for sweeter food during the festive season and is less likely to cause any damage to your teeth.”
The expert also recommends opting for a cheese platter, noting: “Better yet, if you opt for the cheeseboard then you’ll benefit from calcium and phosphate which will help to strengthen your teeth and balance the pH level in your mouth, reducing harmful acids, which will cause you less cavities in the long run.”
For maintaining optimal dental health during the holidays, Dr Whitley advises a balanced diet, including Christmas dinner staples like Brussels sprouts, which are “a great source of calcium and vitamin C, which help to make your teeth strong and more resistant to staining.”