A new research conducted by the Institute for Research in Food Science at the Autonomous University of Madrid and published in the journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, however, says that wine is also good for dental health.
The color of our teeth has become an aesthetic issue of the first order, so it is increasingly important to take care of the food that stains them. Wine has always been, together with coffee, one of the stigmatized foods if we aspired to keep a smile free of stains on the teeth.
A new research conducted by the Institute for Research in Food Science at the Autonomous University of Madrid and published in the journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, however, says that wine is also good for dental health.
Caries prevention
Research in this regard suggests that red wine is effective in the fight against bacteria that adhere to our teeth and cause the formation of biofilms and dental plaque, responsible for dental diseases. This property of wine is due to the fact that the polyphenols (natural antioxidants) it contains slow down the growth of the bacterial flora that lodges both in the teeth and in the gums. Cavities, gum disease and tooth loss affect between 60 and 90% of the world’s population, so polyphenols are revealed as a good ally of our health
Wine stains
Despite this positive effect on oral health, wine can cause stains on our enamel. Red wine, in addition to other dark foods (such as coffee), has a substance called chromogen, producing pigments that have the ability to adhere to tooth enamel and stain teeth. In addition, the acidity of the wine also promotes the filtration of substances such as tannins and anthocyanins in the teeth, which can also stain them. That is, we can drink wine occasionally if we opt for good oral health instead of a mouthless cosmetic without macula, but we cannot enjoy the best of both worlds. However, thanks to current oral hygiene and whitening treatments, we can continue to drink wine and eliminate stains that may occur.
Photoactivation whitening
Experts warn that, after eating food such as wine, we should brush our teeth, because we run the risk that our white teeth will turn yellow and, in some cases, even dark. To reduce the harmful effect of wine, we can rinse our mouth with water after drinking it or brush our teeth with whitening paste. That although it will not bleach us, it allows us to maintain the whitening that we have done.
Another more professional and effective option is photoactivation whitening, which will allow us to enjoy wine or coffee, as well as other foods, without conscientious regrets.
There are many different techniques of teeth whitening. Many of them use certain substances that need to be photoactivated. Laser or cold light (LED) are some of the techniques that help in this process.
The teeth whitening achieves rinsing between 4 and 10 shades in one session of 45 minutes, but should always be done in consultation with a specialist. Unlike the kits that are marketed for bleaching at home, which are not custom-made and are standard for all patients, this type of whitening allows all teeth to be treated simultaneously, and not tooth to tooth. During treatment and two weeks later, it is important to follow a white diet and avoid foods and drinks that stain your teeth. After that, we can continue drinking wine without regrets of conscience, while we take advantage of its effects against tooth decay.
