Is Drinking Wine Recommended by The Best Dentist?
Just about everyone is aware that wine contains antioxidants, and that a glass or two a day is good for your health, but now it looks as if it could be good for your dental health too. A study in Italy was conducted on red and white wine, and the alcohol was removed to prevent ethanol from interfering with the tests.
Researchers mixed cavity causing bacteria with the wines, and both red and white wines fought these bacteria and other streptococcal bacteria which could cause throat infections. The research team thought red wine could have more antibacterial properties than white wine, but further research is needed to clarify this. Other research involved isolating acids found in both red and white wine, and testing the acids against the bacteria. The results showed the acids were more effective against the bacteria when isolated than in the wines, so it appears as if wines could dilute the benefits to some extent.
The polyphenols or antioxidants contained in wines have also been found to help neutralize inflammation caused by plaque bacteria. Limiting this inflammation could help to prevent gingivitis or the more serious dental disease, periodontal disease from developing.
Although red wine has a reputation for staining your teeth, it’s likely the best dentists will recommend drinking red wine over white wine, as white wine does have a high acid content which some researchers think could erode tooth enamel in heavy drinkers. White wine drinkers are recommended to eat cheese to help counteract any effects of the acid, but red wine drinkers may like to try the same trick, as wine and cheese is a classic pairing.
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