Holiday Alert: Dentists Sound Off on the Rise of ‘Prosecco Teeth’!

Talk about a total buzzkill!

As the clock strikes midnight this New Year’s Eve, it’s time to pop the bubbly and toast to new beginnings! But hold on—before you pour that sparkling wine or fizzy cocktail, you might want to think twice. Yes, those festive drinks can come with a hidden cost: your beautiful smile. Meet the dreaded “prosecco teeth,” a phenomenon that could land you in the dentist’s chair sooner than you think.

“Every year, we see a spike in dental issues, especially with those front incisors, during the holiday season,” warns a leading dental expert who knows the score all too well. So while you might be celebrating, your teeth could be suffering.

Let’s break it down: prosecco is charmingly sweet and widely loved, but it’s also loaded with sugar and acidity. This makes it an irresistible choice for party-goers, but it can wreak havoc on your dental health. The combination of these ingredients can lead to a perfect storm that erodes your tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to discoloration and decay.

While sparkling wine sales may be on the decline this year, don’t be fooled; prosecco is still the go-to bubbly for many festive occasions, and it’s only getting more popular due to its wallet-friendly price tag.

Sure, it’s tempting to raise your glass, but let’s consider what’s happening inside your mouth. The carbonic acid that gives prosecco its signature fizz can erode those precious minerals in your tooth enamel. Add in the sugar, which fuels bacteria that produce even more harmful acids, and you have a recipe for dental disaster.

And let’s not forget about alcohol, which can lead to dry mouth—an environment ripe for plaque buildup and cavities. Yikes!

But it’s not just prosecco giving your dental health a run for its money. Tooth enamel starts to disintegrate when the pH level in your mouth dips below 5.5, and yes, prosecco measures in at a jaw-dropping 3.25! This is similar to the acidity found in many sodas and a staggering 175 times more acidic than what it takes to wear down your precious enamel.

Early detection is key to maintaining your smile. Be on the lookout for early signs of enamel erosion, like sensitivity to hot or cold, yellowing teeth, or rough, thin edges.

6 Tips to Save Your Smile from ‘Prosecco Teeth’

• Enjoy your prosecco in moderation or switch to drinks that are kinder to your teeth.
• Consider using a straw to limit contact with your teeth.
• Hydrate! Rinse your mouth with water to wash away harmful acids and sugars.
• Chew sugar-free gum to boost saliva production, which helps neutralize acids.
• Snack on cheese; it’s a fantastic way to balance acidity.
• Wait at least 30 minutes after drinking before brushing your teeth to allow enamel to remineralize.