Cheers to red wine this Valentine’s Day!

Artistic Touch Dentistry has some surprising news regarding red wine this holiday: it’s better for your dental health than you may think! While we all know that red wine can stain teeth over time, there are actually many oral health benefits to drinking red wine in moderation and on special occasions!

Chemicals in red wine called proanthocyanidins have antioxidant properties and may prevent the bacteria Streptococcus mutans from sticking to the teeth inside the mouth. Bacteria are always present in the oral cavity, but how the bacteria can interact with the teeth depends largely on diet and brushing habits. And at Artistic Touch Dentistry, we’re happy to report that it looks like red wine is working in your favor by keeping bacteria from taking up residence on the surface of your teeth and at the gumline.

In addition, red wine is known to include antioxidants that reduce inflammation throughout the body, leading to better heart health as well as reduced incidence of gum disease or gingivitis. So if you really care for your loved one this Valentine’s Day, toast to love–and to red wine!