Most people have been in this somewhat embarrassing situation before: They’ve had several glasses of red wine (Merlot, Cabernet, take your pick) and the evidence is on their teeth and lips. Whether you’re enjoying an evening drink at home or eating out with some friends, people don’t need anything special to get rid of wine-stained teeth or lips. Some easy solutions, and solid preparation, may mean having your cake and eating it too or, better yet, having your red and drinking it too.
Drink before
If someone notices that they have red teeth and red lips stained with wine, it is likely the by-product of the pigments in the wine that adhere to the plaque on the surface of the teeth, so the easiest solution would be to remember to brush. teeth before participating. It is also essential to brush your teeth before drinking because wine is very acidic. Sufficient exposure to the acid in these drinks can wear down enamel, making teeth susceptible to tooth sensitivity or cavities. Brisk brushing to remove stains from your teeth could cause more damage, so opt for a soft bristle brush after a night out.
Also, when lips are dry, they are more likely to get red wine stains, as dry lips will absorb more moisture than whatever a person is drinking, which could manifest as red, flaky lips. Before drinking, take a moment to exfoliate your lips with a clean, dry toothbrush, some water mixed with baking soda, or a towel to remove dry skin from your lips. From there, use a quality lip balm to hydrate your lips, which should decrease the likelihood of blemishes.
During the drink
Admittedly, it may not exactly be a refined way to enjoy red wine, but it could at least protect your lips from staining – use a straw so that the wine doesn’t go all the way through your lips. In case you are in a restaurant and feel uncomfortable ordering a straw, simply ask your server for a wine sprayer or a mixer in a tall glass instead of a standard wine glass.
After drinking
For those in public who notice that their lips have already stained, they can order a lime or lemon wedge with their drink. Citrus is easy to discreetly bite into with your lips, and the high amount of acidity can help dissolve leftover wine stains. If lime or lemon juice touches your teeth, rinse a little water in your mouth to prevent the acid from staying on your tooth enamel.
For those who notice they have red lips, always embrace the color by making it look intentional. A quick application with a bit of lip balm could add enough shine so that the red color looks like gloss rather than wine residue. Sheer gloss is also kept inside a purse to avoid further embarrassment from wine-stained lips.