Wine and Cheese, Anyone?

It’s no secret that many dentists will discourage a nightly glass of wine because of the damage it can cause to your teeth over time. In fact, studies have shown that wine can erode your enamel, stain your teeth, and leave you with bad breath. At Olive Dental, we care about excellent oral hygiene and helping you achieve your best smile.

However, we also understand that sometimes caring for your whole person means allowing yourself to indulge once in a while.

So sit back, pour yourself a glass, and read on about these dentist-approved snacks to pair with your wine:

Cheese

Keep it classy: Your smile experiences great benefits from eating this classic wine-pairing snack. Cheese is low in sugar and is full of calcium, which can help to strengthen your teeth. A recent study also suggested that various compounds found in cheese could adhere to tooth enamel and help protect teeth from acid — which makes it the perfect companion for a glass of wine! Apart from being a great food to pair with wine, cheese is a great dentist-approved snack; The American Dental Association recommends eating soft cheeses just after getting braces or completing oral surgery. So the next time someone asks you why your smile looks so white, just say cheese!

Mixed Nuts

Nuts that are rich in flavor taste great with wine, but have also been proven to be good for your teeth! Almonds have high levels of calcium, which is good for both teeth and gums because it helps keep tooth enamel strong and healthy. On the other hand, eating cashews stimulates saliva and helps to clean your teeth. While acidic food and beverages (like wine) may cause tiny lesions on tooth enamel, eating calcium-rich nuts can help redeposit minerals back into those lesions and ultimately support tooth repair. Go ahead and go nuts!

Berries

Whether you choose to enjoy them with a Brut Sparkling Wine or a Late-Harvest Riesling, berries can be a delicious wine-pairing snack. Strawberries in particular work as a natural teeth whitener! When you eat strawberries, a tooth-whitening enzyme called malic acid naturally works to whiten enamel. Who knew oral hygiene could be so sweet?

And don’t stress if you do start to see wine stains on your teeth! A long lasting bright, white smile can be yours in just an hour with the Philips ZOOM!® WhiteSpeed technology available in our office! Call and book your appointment before your next important event.