Q: Does wine contain fluoride?—Max, Beacon, N.Y.
A: Fluoride is the negatively charged ionic form of fluorine, the lightest halogen element. In the human body, it plays a crucial role in bone health, promotes the formation of healthy tooth enamel and prevents cavities. Fluoride is naturally present at low levels in most water sources, and it’s also commonly added to water, toothpaste and mouthwash to promote oral health in children and adults.
Recently, concerns about the adverse health effects of too much fluoride have led some states to ban the fluoridation of drinking water. Many people are concerned about making sure they get enough fluoride, while others worry about getting too much. In both cases, it makes sense to wonder if wine is a significant source of the mineral.
How Much Fluoride Is in Wine?
Fluoride can be found in several plants and foods, including tea, coffee, shrimp and a variety of other sources. That includes, notably, grapes and wine. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a glass of red wine contains 154 micrograms, while a glass of white wine contains 297 micrograms. The recommended daily intake is 4 milligrams (or 4,000 micrograms) for adult men and 3 milligrams for adult women.
Wine is a solid source of fluoride, and it’s worth keeping wine in mind if you’re keeping close track of your fluoride intake. That said, moderate consumption isn’t likely to dramatically impact your overall intake, and it doesn’t pose any risk. As the authors of a 2016 study in the journal Biological Trace Element Research put it, “fluoride intake from wine poses no risk to the health of adults.”
Wine and Your Teeth
What about wine’s overall impact on your pearly whites? There are several things to keep in mind, from the effect of wine’s acid on your tooth enamel to the possibility of staining to whether you should rinse with mouthwash or brush your teeth before or after drinking wine. The good news is that maintaining a healthy level of fluoride intake is one of the best ways to keep your teeth strong and protect them from acid and decay. In that sense, while wine can pose a risk to oral health, it also stands to provide some benefit.
As always, talk to your healthcare provider about incorporating wine into a healthy lifestyle.—Kenny Martin
