In case bonding has been done on your teeth recently and you want to know if you can still drink red wine, the answer is probably no. Why not? This issue matters because dental bonding which is a method used to fix or beautify your teeth with a resin mixture that matches the color of your teeth is a sensitive operation that requires some follow-up care in order to keep it looking great.
Why Red Wine Can Be a Problem After Bonding
It is true that red wine stains the real teeth, but the bonded teeth may get more stained by it. What mainly causes red wine to stain are tannins and acids. Tannins are responsible for the astringent taste and deep color of the wine, and they attach themselves quite firmly to all kinds of surfaces, teeth included.
What is more, the resin that is used for bonding is a little bit porous, thus it can take in color from foods and drinks just like a sponge. At the same time, natural enamel is very dense and thus it is difficult for it to be penetrated by stain-carrying agents, but the resin used for bonding is not as resistant as that.
The acid that comes from the red wine makes the situation worse by temporarily softening the surface of the resin as well as that of the enamel, and thus it becomes easier for the pigments to get inside, particularly in the first 24-48 hours after the bonding. It is during this time that the bonding is still going through the curing and settling process, so it needs to be protected more.
How Long Should You Avoid Red Wine?
Generally, dentists advise their patients not to take red wine as well as any other dark-colored drinks, like coffee and tea, for at least 48 hours after the bonding procedure has been performed. This time off is necessary for the resin to get completely dry and to form a strong surface that will be resistant to staining.
Still, heavy and frequent use of red wine can even after this short period lead from time to time to the loss of the brightness of your bonded teeth as a result of the gradual surface discoloration caused by wine. It is a good idea to limit wine consumption if you want your smile to look and feel nice and fresh, and at the same time, you can do some oral care routine as well.
Tips to Enjoy Red Wine Without Damaging Dental Bonding
In case of a total red wine avoidance, the idea sounds terrible to you, here are some of the soft ways which can help protect your bonding while still allowing you some wine drinking:
– Rinse with Water: Do some rinsing of the mouth with simple water immediately after the drinking of red wine to get rid of the leftover color.
– Use a Straw: While it may not be the usual way for wines, a straw can help limit the contact of the wine with the teeth surface.
– Brush Gently and Regularly: Keep up with good oral hygiene but do not brush right after the wine consumption in order to protect enamel and bonding resin.
– Schedule Follow-Ups: It is very important to keep regular dental appointments to check on the state of the bonding and be cleaned professionally from surface stains that cannot be removed at home.
Final Thoughts
Even though a glass of nice red wine may be very tempting, yet if you do have dental bonding, it’s better to consider the risk before drinking it.
Since the bonding material has that porous characteristic which makes it prone to staining, it is very important to refrain from drinking red wine during the first couple of days in order to keep it looking and functioning well.
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