Lemon water is very popular among people as a refreshing and healthy drink, but its acidic nature raises concerns about its effects on teeth. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidant properties promote health, however, their citric acid content may raise the risk to tooth enamel. So, Is Lemon Water Bad for your Teeth or Good for your teeth? How to Drink Lemon Water without Damaging Teeth?
Let’s open the mystery. By understanding the impacts of this tangy drink, you can make informed decisions about incorporating it into your diet while safeguarding your smile.
Is Lemon Good for Your Teeth
- Like other citrus fruits lemons are a good source of vitamin C which is an essential vitamin. Studies show that vitamin C is essential for collagen formation and is also an antioxidant that slows and prevents periodontal disease.
- It prevents gum diseases like Scurvy in which gums become loose, and spongy, bleeding from gums, teeth falling, mouth ulcers, etc; It occurs due to severe vitamin C deficiency. So, we can say lemon water is good for your gums.
- It increases salivary flow or salivation in the mouth and relieves symptoms of dry mouth or xerostomia.
- It reduces bad bacteria-producing volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. So, it reduces halitosis or bad breath from the mouth. It also reduces caries.
However, there are some bad sides also there if you consume lemon or lemon water wrongly.
Related: 10 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Is Lemon Water Bad for Your Teeth
- An Acidic environment due to lemon or lemon water causes the weakening of the boding of restorative material or tooth filling or crowns with teeth.
- If lemon or lemon water is consumed during dehydration, salivary glands are unable to produce enough saliva in dehydration to buffer the action of the citric acid of the lemon, which causes an acidic environment in the mouth and leads to erosion of teeth enamel.
- Frequent consumption of lemon affects the orthodontic brackets and may cause loosening.
How Lemon Affects Teeth Enamel
Due to its citric acid, lemon or lemon water causes erosion of enamel. Due to erosion of enamel underlying yellow dentin appears and teeth appear more yellow than usual. Erosion of enamel causes dentin exposed in the outer environment causing teeth sensitivity to hot, cold, sore, sweet, etc.
Are you Scared of seeing Lemon water? Don’t worry, you can avoid or reduce the side effects of lemon water on your teeth.
Related: Are Apples Good for Your Teeth?
How to Drink Lemon Water without Damaging Teeth
- Use a straw to avoid contact with lemon water on your teeth surfaces. Straw reduces the chances of lemon water spreading over your teeth surfaces and damaging your teeth enamel. So, don’t forget to carry a straw with you.
- Rinse your mouth with water to reduce the acidity and balance the pH of your mouth after consuming lemon or lemon water.
- Avoid brushing your teeth after consuming lemon or lemon water or any citrus fruits or acidic foods to protect enamel and avoid damage. But use fluoride toothpaste whenever you brush your teeth.
- Diluting lemon water may help you to avoid its acidity damaging your enamel of teeth.
- Avoid high frequency and long exposure time of lemon water with teeth.
I hope this informative article helped you to understand the good side and bad side of lemon or lemon water consumption, and also prevent damage to teeth while drinking lemon water. Do comment if you have any questions in comment below. You can share this article with your friends and family to let them know the effect of lemon on their Teeth.
