Dentists warn of ‘prosecco teeth’ surge over holidays
What a buzzkill.
Champagne, sparkling wines and fizzy cocktails are all the rage on New Year’s Eve, but these bubbly beverages could turn your pearly whites into damaged, discolored, tender teeth. The phenomenon — known as “prosecco teeth” or “prosecco smile” — threatens to ruin your new year with a trip to the dentist.
“Among dentists, it has been reported anecdotally that dental decay affecting the front incisors spikes during the festive season,” Dr. Sahil Patel, founder of Marylebone Smile Clinic in London, recently told Yahoo Life UK.
“Prosecco poses a unique problem in that it is a relatively sweet tasting, ubiquitous, affordable, high-sugar, acidic and carbonated drink,” Patel continued. “All these aspects make it extremely popular and accessible in large amounts for everyone.”
Though sparkling wine sales have declined this year compared to 2023, beverage forecasters predict that prosecco will enjoy a larger holiday sales surge than Champagne because it’s less expensive.
While the price point may be good, the combination of sugar, carbonic acid and alcohol in prosecco can be problematic.
Carbonic acid — formed when carbon dioxide gas dissolves water, producing carbonated drinks’ signature bubbles — can erode the minerals in tooth enamel. Sugar feeds bacteria in the mouth, releasing acids that can also destroy tooth enamel.
Damaged enamel makes teeth more vulnerable to cavities, more sensitive to certain foods and drinks and more likely to yellow, chip or break.
For its part, alcohol can cause dry mouth, significantly increasing the risk of plaque buildup and cavities.
Harriman Implant Center, a dental practice in New York, warns that prosecco is not the only wine causing concern.
Tooth enamel begins to dissolve when the pH level in your mouth drops below 5.5. Prosecco’s pH is typically around 3.25.
“That’s about what we expect for many sodas and 175 times more acidic than is required to break down tooth enamel,” Harriman Implant Center wrote in a post that pointed out that riesling can have a pH below 3. White wines are usually more acidic than red wines.
Early detection is crucial for better dental treatment. Warning signs of enamel erosion include pain when eating or drinking hot or cold items and teeth that appear yellow, with rough or thin edges.
6 tips for preventing ‘prosecco teeth’
- Enjoy prosecco in moderation or switch to a drink that’s less acidic and sugary.
- Use a straw to reduce contact with teeth.
- Drink water to rinse away harmful acids and sugar.
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production, neutralizing acids.
- Eat cheese to neutralize acidity.
- Wait 30 minutes to an hour after drinking prosecco before tooth brushing to give enamel time to remineralize.
