In the celebration of St Patrick’s Day many will find themselves being served green beverages. We are often asked about the effects of this on your teeth. The effects of green beer and other beverages that are modified to be green for the holiday celebration can vary from person to person, and often depend on how the drink is turned green in color.
Drinks are typically turned green through the addition of food coloring. At many bars, kegs are bought from the distributor with the green coloring already in them. In others, the bartender adds the food coloring to the beer, or other drink. In soft drinks, food coloring can be added to the syrup used in the dispenser or added after it is poured and then stirred in.
The fact is that while in most cases there are no lasting effects of consuming beverages that are colored green, there are some hazards to be aware of. In drinks where the color is mixed in after the drink is poured, the consistency of the mixture is determined by the person making the drink. That means that it is very easy and common for too much of the food coloring to be put into a drink, which often results in very green teeth, and even lips, tongue, and mouth for those drinking these beverages.
If you have recently had your teeth whitened, or have any type of braces, you should take extra care to avoid these green beverages. After a whitening or use of whitening products, the teeth are usually more sensitive to the dyeing agents in food coloring, so your bright white teeth may very quickly turn an interesting shade of green or blue. The dye can settle between braces, other devises or dental prosthetics that are pressed to teeth, thus causing even greater concern as it remains soaking into the tooth enamel for extended periods of time.
On a lighter note, the food coloring added to beverages can also expose any areas where you are missing brushing or have plaque buildup, as it sticks to the bacteria in plaque. If after a few sips of the your green beverage of choice you notice your teeth turning quickly green, that may be an indicator that it is time for your next visit to the dentist. While this is generally a very temporary and usually harmless effect, before consuming that green beer or other beverage you should consider that your teeth may be a little green.
The Columbus Ohio Dental Office of Courtney Fleming DDS wishes you a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day and as always, wear your smile proud!
It is also becoming more common to apply some of these techniques in a single visit to the dental office. A good example is the same day dental crown, tooth colored fillings, or veneers, through use of special equipment such as the 
