"Ruins Your Teeth"…The Worst Alcohol According to a Dentist

Italian Sparkling Wine 'Prosecco'
High Sugar and Acidity Levels Cause Deterioration of Dental Health

Dentists have identified Italian sparkling wine as the worst alcohol for teeth.

The photo is not directly related to the content of the article. Pixabay

On the 4th, the British Daily Mail cited Sahil Patel, founder of the Marylebone Smile Clinic, reporting that dentists have observed a surge in cavities around the end of the year and New Year's. The cause is believed to be the increased consumption of the Italian sparkling wine 'Prosecco' during year-end and New Year parties. Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, is one of the most popular products worldwide due to its sweet taste, affordable price, and high sugar and acidity levels. The problem is that this alcohol has high sugar and acidity, which can lead to cavities.

Dr. Patel emphasized, "If you want to enjoy the festive atmosphere, you should drink clear alcohol with less sugar and lower acidity." Dr. Niri Whitley also pointed out, "Prosecco is a drink suitable for celebrations, but its acidic components can damage tooth enamel, which may cause discoloration." Enamel is the hard substance covering the surface of teeth, protecting the dentin underneath. She further explained, "Carbonated drinks release carbon dioxide, which forms carbonic acid. The carbonation (abundant in Prosecco) provides a refreshing taste but makes the drink more acidic."

Experts explained that the sugar in Prosecco interacts with bacteria in the mouth to produce acid, which slowly dissolves tooth enamel, creating holes or cavities. In particular, Prosecco is several times more harmful to teeth than beer, other sparkling wines, or distilled spirits because it contains a lot of carbonation and sugar and is sipped slowly over a long period.

This is not the first time Prosecco has been criticized for its negative effects on dental health. In 2017, the Daily Mail and The Guardian, among others, published several articles citing dentists' statements that many Britons lose their dental health due to excessive Prosecco consumption. British media warned that Prosecco contains all three major culprits harmful to teeth?carbonation, sugar, and alcohol?thus potentially causing cavities.

However, related Italian alcohol manufacturers reportedly protested, saying, "It is absurd to single out Prosecco while excluding French Champagne or British sparkling wines."