Worrying reason why dentists hate Prosecco more than any other alcoholic drink
If you’re planning to ring in the new year with a glass or two of prosecco, be weary; too much of the drink can give you rotten, yellow teeth.
The high sugar content and acidity of Italian sparkling wine can tear through your tooth enamel, leading to serious discoloration, dentists warn.
The ‘prosecco teeth’ phenomenon – as coined by oral health experts – could even lead to drinkers needing fillings or even cosmetic work in the new year.
Dr. Sahil Patel, founder of the Marylebone Smile Clinic said: ‘It has been reported among dentists that tooth decay in the front incisors increases during the festive period.
‘Prosecco poses a unique problem because it is a relatively sweet-tasting, ubiquitous, affordable, high-sugar, sour and carbonated drink.
‘All these aspects make it extremely popular and accessible to everyone in large quantities.
‘The problem is that the constant exposure to sugar in the mouth creates a situation where tooth decay can affect the front teeth, potentially requiring fillings and/or cosmetic work later in the new year.
‘Prosecco has a dangerous ability to cause spoilage, hence the term prosecco teeth.’
In just a few years, the light, carbonated alcoholic drink has defeated all rivals to become the nation’s favorite festive drink.
Dr. Patel is not the only dentist who warns against cheap drinks.
Dr. Mydentist Chief Clinical Officer Nyree Whitley said: ‘I’m afraid I have some bad news for prosecco lovers.
‘While it’s a fun festive drink, its acidity can damage your enamel and in turn lead to discoloration.’
Professor Damien Walmsley, Scientific Advisor to the British Dental Association, also said: ‘Prosecco offers a triple flavor of carbonation, sweetness and alcohol, which can put your teeth at risk, leading to sensitivity and enamel erosion.
‘Carbonated drinks get their fizz from the emission of carbon dioxide, which dissolves into carbon dioxide.
‘This provides a refreshing taste, but also makes this drink more sour. Additionally, prosecco comes with approximately one teaspoon of sugar per flute.”
When sugar is consumed, it interacts with bacteria in the mouth to produce acid.
This acid is responsible for tooth decay because it slowly dissolves the enamel, causing gaps or holes in the teeth.
The NHS recommends people drink no more than 14 ‘units’ of alcohol – around six glasses of wine or pints of beer – per week
The extra fizz, extra sugar and tendency to sip it for extended periods of time put Prosecco several notches above beer, other sparkling wines and spirits in terms of dental damage, experts say.
It’s believed that Britons consume around 131 million bottles of prosecco every year – almost two bottles per person – while surveys show it is the most popular alcoholic drink for special occasions.
Britain is also thought to be the world’s largest market, importing more than a third of all prosecco shipped worldwide.
Dr. Patel said: ‘If you want to enjoy a celebratory drink, I recommend drinking a clear drink that is less acidic and contains less sugar, which in turn will cause less damage to your teeth.’
Doctor Whitley meanwhile also advised people who don’t brush their teeth immediately after drinking the alcohol for fear that the acid might scrub around your mouth and cause more damage.
Instead, she suggested waiting at least 30 minutes after drinking before brushing your teeth.
Leading experts have debated the harms of moderate alcohol consumption for decades.
It came into the spotlight last year when WHO officials warned that no amount of alcohol is safe.
The NHS recommends people drink no more than fourteen ‘units’ of alcohol – around six glasses of wine or pints of beer – per week.
This has been diluted in recent decades in light of studies illustrating the health hazards of alcohol.
Meanwhile, the US says women should have no more than seven standard drinks a week, while men should have 14.
Scientists across the board agree that excessive alcohol consumption can permanently damage the liver, cause a range of cancers and increase blood pressure.
It strains the heart muscle and can lead to cardiovascular disease (CVD), increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Binge drinking – sometimes defined as consuming five drinks in two hours – can cause the heart to beat irregularly, which can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and increased blood pressure.
The World Health Organization estimates that alcohol kills three million people around the world every year.