Dentists warn of increased ‘prosecco teeth’ over the holidays

What a noise.

Champagne, sparkling wines and fizzy cocktails are all the rage on New Year’s Eve, but these bubbly drinks can turn your pearly whites into damaged, discolored and soft teeth. The phenomenon – known as “prosecco teeth” or the “prosecco smile” – threatens to ruin your new year with a trip to the dentist.

“Among dentists, it has been anecdotally reported that tooth decay affecting the front incisors increases during the festive season,” Dr. Sahil Patel, founder of Marylebone Smile Clinic in London.

“Prosecco presents a unique problem in that it is a relatively sweet-tasting, ubiquitous, affordable, high-sugar, acidic, fizzy drink,” Patel continued. “All these aspects make it extremely popular and accessible in large quantities to everyone.”

Although sparkling wine sales are down this year compared to 2023, beverage forecasters predict prosecco will enjoy a bigger holiday sales boost than champagne because it’s less expensive.

While the price may be good, the combination of sugar, carbonic acid and alcohol in prosecco can be problematic.

Carbonic acid – formed when carbon dioxide gas dissolves in prosecco, producing distinctive 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.

In turn, alcohol can cause dryness in the mouth, significantly increasing the risk of plaque build-up 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 break down when the pH level in your mouth drops below 5.5. The pH of Prosecco is usually around 3.25.

“This is what we expect for many sodas and 175 times more acid than is required to break down tooth enamel,” Harriman Implant Center wrote in a post that noted that Riesling can have a pH below 3. White wines are usually more acidic than red wines.

Early detection is essential for better dental treatment. Warning signs of enamel erosion include pain when eating or drinking hot or cold things and teeth that appear yellow, rough-edged or thin.

6 tips to prevent ‘prosecco teeth’

• Enjoy prosecco in moderation or switch to a drink that is less acidic and sugary.
• Use a straw to reduce contact with the teeth.
• Drink water to flush out 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 brushing your teeth to give the enamel time to remineralize.