The Auswine Forum

After attending a wine show tasting last year, everybody's teeth were stained black. I was told at the time not to brush the teeth until the next day as brushing straight after tasting could damage the enamel of the teeth. As I had to attend a gathering after the tasting, it was very difficult. I am glad that only one friend asked me what happened. Is this true? Would people normally leave the stained teeth alone until the next day? It would be interesting to hear people's opinion. Thanks.

Some professional input here would be appreciated, I reckon.

I figure on not brushing my teeth before a tasting - a little plaque build-up gives the acids something to attack before the get to my teeth! And after half an hour on whites (like at Fesq last week) they feel pretty clean. And then the reds start to work!

Yes, I believe they do soften the enamel of the teeth - and for that reason immediate post-tasting brushing is not recommended. Lots of swishing with water is about the best you can do I think - I know after a dinner late at night I just swish water and perhaps just give them a quick rub with a finger. They look OK in the morning - although the toothpaste foam has a purple hue about it.

But going straight from a big (red) tasting to a social event - I don't think there's any remedy...

cheers,
Graeme

I didn't know teeth were meant to be any colour other than purple.

Despite the apparent humour, this can be a real problem for people in the trade.

Back in 1998 when I did the Advanced Wine Assessment Course through AWRI, they brought in a dentist to discuss just these problems.

In short, the outcome was:-

- don't brush for 3-4 hours after a big tasting as the tooth enamel is soft
- cheese is a good food to bring the acid/alkaline balance back within the mouth
- use a flouride paste the night before a big tasting/judging and leave on overnight, especially if you suffer sensitive teeth from teeth grinding while asleep.
- rinse with water at the end of each wine bracket


From personal experience, to get rid of the black teeth syndrome, rinse with white wine which is much more effective than water.

Cheers
Glen

I swish some Pepsi / Coke around my mouth - if they can clean coins, they can certainly help out stained teeth !!!

Mike Hawkins wrote:I swish some Pepsi / Coke around my mouth - if they can clean coins, they can certainly help out stained teeth !!!

Mike, at pH 2.8, I fear coke might be a case of putting out the fire with gasoline.

Cheers
Glen

Stained teeth and the enamel wasting ACID is a real problem. My wine show kit includes a soft breadroll that I chew on after the water rinse. I chew the roll until it becomes liquid and then I swallow it. The soft wheat picks off the colour and any deposit on the teeth. If I go to a public place soon after the show, I chew on sugarfree gum.
This is what I usually do.
Cheers,
Attila

It is not just the teeth. There is also purple tongue syndrome and don't mention the glazed eyes!!!!!
Since doing the Advanced Wine Assessment course (diff year to Glen) I never brush after tasting and my teeth are better for it, but I do sometimes rub with a tissue if really bad.
Glen rinses with white wine but I think Champagne or sparkling wine is a good tasty cleanser. It's also breaks down any tannins loitering around the inside of the cheeks.
Then there are the peanut butter sandwiches to nibble on after the tasting is finished.

Cheers, Sue