In many countries, white wines such as Chardonnay are the preferred choice when people have seafood or poultry dishes. And they certainly don’t stain your teeth, tongue or lips like red wines do.

However findings published in the journal of Nutrition Research, may come as a revelation to most drinkers.

It’s claimed that enjoying a glass of white wine on a frequent basis can damage your teeth, because of the high acidity levels in white wine it can erode the tooth enamel more quickly than red wine.

The team of researchers examined the effects on teeth of eight red and eight white wines from different parts of the world.

White wine can damage our teeth

In the lab, adult teeth soaked in white wine for a day suffered a loss of both calcium and a mineralcalled phosphorus to depths of up to 60 micrometers in the enamelsurface, which the researchers say is significant.

And the matter isn’t helped by brushing your teeth soon after drinking, as excessive brushing action can lead to further loss of enamel. Also the effects can be made worse by how frequently you sip your wine.

But the study wasn’t all bad news for wine lovers. By having cheese or creamy desserts, the acid attacks can be reduced.

“The tradition of enjoying different cheeses for dessert, or in combinationwith drinking wine, might have a beneficial effect on preventing dental erosion since cheeses contain calcium in a high concentration," the scientists added.

Professor Damien Walmsley, of the British Dental Associationrecommended a 30 minute break between drinking and brushing and to drink wine with food.

“Consuming wine alongside food, rather than on its own, means thesaliva you produce as you chew helps to neutralise its acidity and limits its erosive potential.”