An Irish dental expert has issued a stark warning about the impact that alcoholic drinks can have on teeth.
It comes amid a rise in cases of what experts are calling ‘Prosecco Teeth’.
A spokesperson for Bandon Dental in Cork, says more and more people are suffering with the condition following a surge in the popularity of Prosecco over the past decade or so.
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There is also bad news for Guinness drinkers, with a warning that the stout can significantly stain teeth.
The problem with Prosecco is that it creates a perfect storm of alcohol, sweetness and carbonation that can wreak havoc on teeth, the doctor said.
The sparkling drink is around 200 times more acidic than what is required to break down tooth enamel, and over time Prosecco drinkers may start to see a white line form under the gum which is tooth decay.
The doctor explains: “Prosecco is a very acidic drink, as are most white wines, it is around 200 times as acidic as what is required to break down tooth enamel, so by just consuming one glass you’re putting your teeth at risk.
“One glass of prosecco contains about one teaspoon of sugar, now this isn’t necessarily a concern when it comes to tooth decay but it does make people inclined to drink more, which means more exposure to the harmful acid, leading to far more erosion.
“What begins to happen over time is a small, white line under the gum will begin to form, if you poke the area you’ll find it is slightly soft – this is the beginning of tooth decay which leads to fillings and other procedures. Prosecco is one of the worst drinks when it comes to enamel erosion.”
She recommends using a straw while drinking Prosecco to limit the amount of contact between teeth and the drink itself. Other tips to lessen the effect include eating cheese between drinks and diluting it with ice.
She continued: “You can use a straw as this will reduce the amount of contact between the actual drink and your teeth. Have some cheese between drinks in order to increase the flow of saliva in the mouth which ultimately neutralises the harmful acids. You can also just dilute the drink with some ice or even a dash of water. It’s important to remember also, only brush your teeth around an hour after having your last drink as your enamel will be weakened by the prosecco, if you brush right away the saliva won’t have had enough time to remineralise and protect your teeth, leading to damage.”
It's not just Prosecco that people need to watch out for. Other drinks with high acidity levels, lots of sugar, and dark colours can be just as harmful to your teeth.
She said: “Drinks like coke, lemonade, sugary syrups and orange juice have high sugar and acidic content which will harm the enamel of your teeth. Similarly, sweet liquors like Malibu fall into a similar category as they contain far more sugar than gin or vodka for example. Ciders like Bulmers or even Orchard Thieves by nature have quite high acid content, which contribute to wearing down the enamel of your teeth – This is such an issue because if the enamel is weakened, bacteria can make their way into the teeth far easier which heightens the risk of tooth decay.”
Guinness drinkers should also beware as it can stain teeth and make them look yellowish and aged, even with brushing regularly.
“Heavy, dark beers like Guinness which are brewed with roasted barley and black patent malt may stain your teeth, especially if you’re regularly consuming them. The concentrated, dark colour of the stouts in particular can rub off on the teeth giving that yellowish look. Even if you brush regularly your teeth can still appeared stained and aged,” she said.
For those concerned about their dental health, the doctor recommends sticking to clear and low acidic drinks like gin and tonic, light beers like Coors Light, and dry white and red wines with low sugar levels.
She said: “It’s good news for those who are fond of a gin and tonic, it’s actually one of the more safer alcoholic options. Both the gin and the tonic itself are clear liquids, which minimises the risk of staining and both have quite low acidic levels, leaving only a small risk of tooth decay.
“Beers, in particular light Beers like Coors Light are a safe bet as they have pretty high water content, low acidity and don’t stain the teeth half as much as Guinness or other dark drinks would.
“If you’re fond of a glass of wine, stick to the drier bottles and watch the sugar levels. Dry white and red wines usually have quite low sugar levels and are less acidic than other drinks. As always though, watch out for the sugar content on the label and try to keep it as low as possible.”
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