Warning to prosecco drinkers this Christmas over little-known risk
Fancy a festive glass of fizz this Christmas?
You might want to think twice about the impact it has on your body, as experts warn about a little-known risk.
We all know the perils of excess when it comes to food and booze - especially around Christmas time - but have you ever thought about what it could be doing to your smile?
Dental expert Dr Murray Pratt of Forever Dental and Skin has warned that particular tipples can cause more harm than others, and prosecco is one of the worst offenders.
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No, it's not from getting whacked in the mouth with an errant cork at Christmas.
Think twice before opening a bottle if you're currently protecting your pearly whites, says Dr Pratt, as prosecco can create 'a perfect erosion combo'.
This is because prosecco has elevated acidity levels as well as a substantial amount of sugar, which, let's face it, is one of the reasons why it's so delicious.
"Prosecco is a very acidic drink - as are many white wines, hundreds of times more acidic than what's needed to start softening tooth enamel, so even one glass is enough to put your teeth under stress."
Who else is very aware of their teeth all of a sudden?
One of the early warning signs is when a faint white line appears on your tooth, close to the gum line.
"If you press the area it can feel a little soft - that's the early stage of decay. Left unchecked, it can progress to cavities, fillings and more invasive treatments down the line," warns the expert.
It's so common now that many dentists refer to it as a 'prosecco smile'.
Red wines like mulled wine can also stain your smile.
If you're keen to avoid the damage, staining and erosion, one top tip this Christmas is to sip your drink through a straw.
Professor Damien Walmsley is a scientific adviser for the British Dental Association.
He describes Prosecco as a 'triple threat' to teeth, saying the carbonation, sugar and alcohol all builds up to a nightmare combination.
Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea at the best of times, but it turns out that having food with your fizz can prevent some of the enamel damage too - as well as stopping you from getting too tipsy at your next work do.
Good news for cheddar fiends, too: "Cheese is great because it helps stimulate saliva and can neutralise some of the harmful acids. Saliva is your mouth's natural defence system - it's constantly working to protect the enamel."
As well as fizz and red wine, beer drinkers are also at risk: "Heavy, dark beers like stout can contribute to yellowing.
"They're brewed with darker malts that carry strong pigments. Over time, those pigments can cling to the enamel, leaving teeth looking more stained and aged - even if you're brushing regularly."
If you're more fond of a spirit, you need to be aware of what you're drinking it with if you want those gnashers to be picture perfect this Christmas.
"Sugary, acidic mixers like cola, lemonade, energy drinks, syrups and orange juice can be a disaster for enamel, they bathe the teeth in sugar and acid, which is exactly what cavity-causing bacteria thrive on."
According to Regent Dental Centre, one of the other reasons mulled wine can be problematic is because of the amount of fruit and sugar added to it.
Adding citrus fruits like oranges to the mix can make things worse too, leading to surface staining, tooth decay and dental erosion.
Something like a gin and tonic is ideal instead.
Jen Thomas