Prosecco, mulled wine, and colourful cocktails are set to be weekly staples as Christmas party season approaches. While these drinks are by no means overflowing with healthy benefits, some are better than others when it comes to oral health.
Swapping from red to white wine may avoid the instant stains, but the high acidity will soften enamel
The team of in-house dentists at teeth whitening brand White Glo have put together a guide on the best and worst drinks for teeth this Christmas, with tips to maintain good oral health throughout the festivities.
GOOD
Gin and Tonic: The low acidity levels in a G&T mean it is far less likely to damage the tooth enamel. Adding ice will further reduce the acidity as it will water down the drink slightly.
Milky Hot Chocolate: Making a milky hot chocolate instead of your regular tea or coffee will save the inevitable stains. The milk will also strengthen teeth and better protect them against decay. Just skip the marshmallows!
Cava: Instead of red and white wine try the Spanish sparkling wine, Cava. Cava has a PH level between three and four, meaning it contains relatively low levels of acid, compared to red wine which has a PH level between five and six.
Beer: When it comes to beer, choose light over dark. The barley in stout beer tends to stain teeth and they are also often brewed with dark fruits, further contributing to teeth stains. Opting for a light beer will not only reduce staining, the lighter option has a higher water content and therefore less acid.
BAD
Rum and Coke: The dentists advise to strike rum and coke off the list. Fizzy drinks alone will add a layer of sugar coating to our teeth, but adding rum increases the acidity further, meaning it can quickly damage your teeth. The combination of dark rum and sugar filled coke is a concoction best avoided.
Red Wine: While a warm cup of mulled wine may be the perfect addition to a cosy night in, the darker and more pigmented it is, the more likely it is to leave you with a magenta hued smile. The cracks in enamel allow the pigmentation to settle on teeth and soak your smile after just a few sips.
White Wine: Swapping from red to white wine may avoid the instant stains, but the high acidity will soften enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to picking up stains from other foods.
Vodka: For those hoping to catch someone under the mistletoe this Christmas, ditch the vodka based cocktails. Vodka dries the mouth out which reduces saliva and leads to bad breath. If Cosmo’s are too tempting, chew a sugar free gum to increase saliva and prevent embarrassing mistletoe mishaps.
James Buchanon from White Glo explains “Christmas is a time for indulging in your favourite foods and drinks, but it doesn’t hurt to choose the options which will do the least damage. Most people seem aware that high sugar foods damage teeth, but alcohol often gets overlooked. The best thing you can do is keep up with your oral health routines over the Christmas period and make sure you brush your teeth when you get home from a night out, to bring your mouth acidity back to neutral.”
James continues “If you are looking for instant stain relief during a Christmas party, you can try White Glo’s Bright Nights teeth whitening strips, which dissolve on your teeth and are perfect to use in the bathroom, before heading to the bar.”
Follow the dentists advice and think about drink choices this Christmas to drastically reduce the damage to teeth, whilst avoiding any embarrassing selfie stained smiles.
For further oral health advice visit www.whiteglo.com
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