Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany, examined the effects of eight red and white wines from various countries on the enamel of teeth removed from men and women aged 40 to 65.

They found that prolonged contact with white wine erodes the protective layer of teeth making them more sensitive to cold, hot and sweet food and drinks.

Teeth soaked in white wines for 24 hours sustained more damage than those left overnight in red wines, says the journal Nutrition Research. “Within the limits of this study, it can be predicted that frequent consumption of white wines might lead to severe dental erosion,” claimed Dr Brita Willershausen.

Other culprits from recent research are orange juice, fizzy drinks, lemon, and grapefruit juice. The acids in these drinks soften the enamel so that immediate brushing can make matters worse.

However, calcium ingestion may provide some sort of defence. The tradition of having cheese with wine, for example, may be an intuitive reaction to the problem

Perhaps a glass of milk swirled round the mouth may also assist in counteracting the acid attack.