Drinking Prosecco Could Be Hurting Your Teeth — Here's How to Avoid the Damage

No matter how you prefer your wine — sparkling or straight-up — there's no denying the fact that indulging in one too many, too quickly can do a number to your disposition. But did you know continuously sipping bubbly can potentially have a negative impact on your smile?

Similar to soda and overly sweetened drinks, bubbly alcoholic drinks, like champagne and Prosecco, are acidic and can cause tooth enamel to slowly wear away, says Marc Lowenberg, a cosmetic dentist in New York City. "When tooth enamel weakens in this way, demineralization has started to occur, which leaves your teeth's dentin exposed and prone to sensitivity," he says.

Yes, Prosecco is indeed acidic, but that doesn't make it as harmful as its bubbly cousins with deeper shades (i.e. sodas with additive colorants)," says New York City-based prosthodontist Mazen Natour. "Prosecco also does not have the heavy concentration of tannin, which is present in red wines and black tea, or the added colorant in soda, so all in all, it's probably the least harmful of what you can drink," he says. "Now, don't get me wrong, it still has sugar in it, and it's still a bubbly drink — bubbles are notorious for eroding enamel due to their high concentration of phosphoric, malic, citric, and tartaric acids. They melt the enamel."

And those who have braces or wear Invisalign have a greater risk of damage, says Katie M. Bales, an orthodontist based in Santa Rosa, California. "If patients are drinking sparkly beverages with their clear aligners (i.e. Invisalign) on, for example, the teeth can be in contact with sugar and/or acid for longer periods of time."

But back to the enamel-melting bubbles — yikes. However, Natour says it's going to take more than a few indulgent glasses here and there to see those kind of disastrous results. "Anything that is not clear or still can — and will — potentially cause damage if not consumed in moderation," he says.

Luckily, there are a few easy tricks to neutralize the damage — before it even begins. Lowenberg recommends rinsing out your mouth following an acidic drink, sipping through a straw, and brushing your teeth immediately after drinking (30 minutes or less) "so your teeth don't soak it in" — if you can.

Oh, and if you happen to be near cheese — specifically cheddar — that helps, too. "Eat a piece of cheese, which is rich in protein, calcium, and phosphorus, all of which can help buffer the acids in your mouth," Lowenberg says. "Cheddar is best, since it contains the highest levels of alkali, whereas soft cheese like, brie or feta, won't have much of an effect."

Bottom line: Sure, you can continue sipping your Prosecco, but just be sure to follow it up with some cheese — and, of course, a solid brushing session.