Wine tasters vulnerable to tooth erosion
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- Published: Wednesday, 08 April 2015 07:50
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A new study has highlighted the potential threat to the teeth of professional wine tasters. Researchers at the University of Adelaide found that just 10 one-minute swill-and-spit sessions are enough to soften tooth enamel and make teeth vulnerable to erosion. It found that the acid in most wines would render teeth vulnerable to erosion “within minutes”.
The author of the study, Dr Sarbin Ranjitkar, said professional wine tasters and winemakers sample anything from 20 to 150 wines a day, with judges tasting up to 200 a day during wine shows. These levels of exposure to acid represent a “significant risk to their oral health”, she says. “Our results reinforce the need for people working in the profession to take early, preventative measures, in consultation with their dentists, to minimise the risks to their teeth.”
Leta Bester, the founder and director of the London Wine Academy, says the risk of tooth damage is “something you are aware of in the trade”. Ms Bester’s organisation advises tasters not to brush their teeth until at least an hour after a wine tasting as it risks softening the enamel. “We also advise drinking water or milk or eating some cheese to neutralise the acidity.”
Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s scientific adviser, said occasional drinkers can continue to enjoy a glass of wine. “Social drinkers should just limit their intake to mealtimes and avoid sipping for long periods.”
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