Is Lemon Juice Bad For Your Teeth? - Nevada Dentistry & Braces  (2024)

appointments

Locations

New Patients

Is Lemon Juice Bad For Your Teeth? - Nevada Dentistry & Braces (2)

Lemon juice, and beverages that have lemon juice as one of their ingredients, may taste good, but they’re extremely harmful for your teeth. In this post we’ll discuss the effects lemon juice has on your teeth, what signs you can look for to see if your teeth may have been damaged by your lemon juice habit, and what steps you can take to minimize the amount of damage done to your teeth.What harmful effects can lemon juice have on your teeth?Lemon juice has the the most citric acid of all different fruit juices. Acid of any kind can stick to your teeth and cause the enamel to erode. They also can feed bacteria and form plaque or tartar on your teeth, which can cause cavities.How can I reduce the amount of damage done to my teeth if I like to drink lemon juice?Try sipping the beverage through a straw. Be sure to swallow the beverage instead of letting it sit in your mouth for a long time. That reduces the chances of it touching your teeth. If you do drink a beverage that has lemon juice in it and forget to use a straw, drink water afterwards. That should reduce the amount of acids that would otherwise stick to your teeth.Don’t brush your teeth immediately after drinking something that contains lemon juice.The citric acid in lemon juice weakens your enamel, so brushing right after drinking something with lemon juice in it will damage your teeth. Avoid brushing your teeth for at least 30 minutes to an hour. You can however rinse out your mouth immediately with water or mouthwash – that will help wash away some of the acids.When you brush, use fluoride toothpaste.Fluoride strengthens teeth, so make sure it’s included in the list of ingredients in your toothpaste.Chew sugar-free gum in between meals.In addition to using mouthwash when rinsing your mouth, you can also chew sugar-free gum. When choosing sugar-free gum, be sure to look for one that has xylitol in it – this helps reduce the amount of acids in beverages and foods.How do I know if my tooth enamel is damaged?There are certain signs you can look for. If your teeth have all of a sudden become very sensitive, that could be a sign of damage to the tooth enamel. Other signs you can look for include:Discoloration – Teeth with less enamel will appear yellow because there’s more dentin showing.Cracked or chipped teeth – As the enamel erodes, the edges may appear more jagged or rough.Severe, painful sensitivity – Extreme enamel erosion can make teeth extremely sensitive to foods that have sugar, as well as hot or cold foods.Cupping – The dentist may start seeing small indentations on the surface of your teeth.While lemon juice, and beverages containing it, may taste good, they’re very bad for your teeth. If you drink lemon juice, or beverages that contain it, follow the suggestions provided here to reduce damage. If you’re concerned that your lemon juice habit may have already damaged your teeth, contact us to schedule an appointment for a consultation. Our dentists will examine your teeth and tell you if your lemon juice beverage habit may have damaged them, and what they can do to help minimize the damage it’s done to your teeth.

related post

Is Sedation During Dental Care Safe For Kids?

As a parent, making healthcare decisions for your children, especially involving sedation during dental procedures, …

Learn More

Your smile is a significant asset. It is often the first thing people see and taking care of it with ...

Learn More

Las Vegas Family Dentist & Orthodontist

With three locations to serve you in Las Vegas, let us help make your smile shine! Contact us for a consultation or appointment.

make an appointment

Nevada Dentistry & Braces is a complete family dentist in Las Vegas that offers state-of-the-art affordable orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, general dentistry, dental implants, and pediatric dentistry. We have three convenient locations to serve you and your family.

Se habla español!

Orthodontics

Family Dental

Is Lemon Juice Bad For Your Teeth? - Nevada Dentistry & Braces (6)

Copyright © 2024 Nevada Dentistry & Braces. All Rights Reserved. Website Design by Site Smart Marketing | Privacy Policy

Is Lemon Juice Bad For Your Teeth? - Nevada Dentistry & Braces  (2024)

FAQs

Is Lemon Juice Bad For Your Teeth? - Nevada Dentistry & Braces ? ›

Lemon juice has the the most citric acid of all different fruit juices. Acid of any kind can stick to your teeth and cause the enamel to erode. They also can feed bacteria and form plaque or tartar on your teeth, which can cause cavities.

Is lemon juice bad for braces? ›

The following foods can be particularly harmful to your teeth while wearing braces: Taffy and caramels, soda pop, sugar on cereal, icing on rolls and cakes, peanut butter and jelly, ketchup, syrup and honey on pancakes or waffles, and lemons (citric acid in juice can dissolve tooth enamel if eaten too frequently).

Does lemon juice damage teeth? ›

Lemons are highly acidic and are referred to as citric acid. Over time, routine consumption of lemon juice washing over your teeth will cause the enamel to erode, eventually exposing the under layer called dentine. Dentine is closer to the pulp chamber where the blood and nerve supply lie.

Who should not drink lemon water? ›

If you are sensitive to tyramine, drinking lemon juice can trigger migraine headaches. Lemons can worsen heartburn symptoms in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In high amounts, lemon juice can also irritate your stomach and cause nausea.

Can you drink lime juice with braces? ›

Acidic foods include oranges and orange juice, lemons, limes, and soft drinks. You should limit your intake of these types of foods to avoid cavities or permanent stains on your teeth. If you do eat these foods, be sure to brush immediately afterward to get the sugar or acids off your teeth.

How to eat lemon without damaging teeth? ›

Use juice from a fresh lemon, not the concentrated, commercial lemon juices. Drink through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. Drink it quickly, rather than sipping over a long period of time. Rinse your mouth with plain water after drinking.

Is lemon water good for your kidneys? ›

Lemon water contains high amounts of citrate. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, research suggests that drinking lemon water may help prevent kidney stones. Not drinking enough water can increase the risk of kidney stones.

What is the best thing to drink with braces? ›

Carbonated Soft Drinks Cause Damage to Tooth Enamel

If you have a soda, please brush your teeth thoroughly as soon as possible. We suggest milk, water, fruit juices, Crystal Light, or Snapple. During sports, it is best to drink water, because many sports drinks, including Gatorade, are also very acidic.

Why is citrus bad for braces? ›

The acid in citrus fruits and sodas can be extremely difficult to remove even with regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing, and if the acid is left on the teeth for an extended period of time, it can erode the enamel, leading to cavities and tooth decay.

How do you protect your teeth from lemon acid? ›

RINSE YOUR MOUTH WITH WATER

A glass of regular water is probably not the first thing you'd reach for after a glass of lemon water, but you should. It washes away the acid that's left hanging onto your teeth. Water cleanses the mouth and stimulates salivation, which is good for protecting your teeth.

How can I rebuild my enamel naturally? ›

Eat a Remineralization Diet

For example, foods rich in calcium (dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt) help put back minerals into the enamel, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables encourage saliva flow.

What happens when you drink lemon water for 7 days? ›

Regular consumption of lemon water may help strengthen bones, promote oral health, and prevent anemia and kidney stones due to its citrate content. Lemon juice contains various antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that boost brain and heart health.

What happens if I drink lemon juice every day? ›

Lemons may aid weight loss and reduce your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones, digestive issues, and cancer. Not only are lemons a very healthy fruit, but they also have a distinct, pleasant taste and smell that make them a great addition to foods and drinks.

Who Cannot drink lemon juice? ›

As per a study, acidic food can cause gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) and acid reflux. It occurs because the acid in lemon irritates the inner linings of the food pipe. It worsens when you drink lemon water on an empty stomach, and people who are prone to acid reflux should avoid drinking lemon water daily.

Should you rinse your mouth after drinking lemon water? ›

Rinse your mouth with water

A glass of regular water is probably not the first thing you'd reach for after a glass of lemon water, but you should. It washes away the acid that's left hanging onto your teeth.

What soda is best for braces? ›

If you are going to consume soda, choose a light-colored variety over a dark one to prevent staining of your teeth. In addition to avoiding drinking soda, you should also avoid coffee, tea, and sports drinks as much as possible.

Can you eat honey if you have braces? ›

– Sticky or Chewy Food

They can cause a wire to pop out or a bracket to break off while trying to remove them. Gum containing sugar is public enemy number one for braces, along with caramel, taffy, jelly candies, and dried fruits. Honey and syrup can also get trapped in your braces.

Is pineapple ok with braces? ›

If you have braces, you can't go wrong with eating most types of fruit (as long as they're of the softer variety). From strawberries and blueberries to oranges and pineapple, these fruits are considered safe for your braces.

What happens if you rub lemon on your teeth? ›

Also you should not use this method more than twice a week. The reason why is the lemon is very acidic and can cause tooth decay and destroy your enamel by ruining the calcium in your teeth if you use this method too frequently.

What fruit is good for your teeth? ›

Our favorite fruit choices are oranges, pears, and watermelons. You know that eating an apple a day can keep the doctor away – this includes the dentist too. Apples, which we like to call nature's toothbrush, are a good snack because they are fibrous. Eating an apple can help clean your teeth until you brush and floss.

Can teeth enamel be restored? ›

Can Tooth Enamel Be Restored? Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.

Does lemon water burn belly fat? ›

Lemon water can promote fullness, support hydration, boost metabolism and increase weight loss. However, lemon water is no better than regular water when it comes to losing fat. That being said, it is tasty, easy to make and can be used as a low-calorie replacement for higher-calorie beverages.

Is lemon good for high blood pressure? ›

Studies have shown that lemon juice or orange juice contains a fair amount of potassium, vitamin C, riboflavin, magnesium and other phytonutrients that have a good effect on people with high blood pressure. So, you can use lemon juice, orange juice.

Does lemon water detox your liver? ›

Experts disagree on whether lemon does indeed detox the liver, however studies suggest that lemon water may improve liver function. Lemon water also holds a number of other benefits such as boosting the immune system, aiding digestion and helping with weight loss.

Can juice stain your braces? ›

Foods well known for staining teeth include soft drinks, tea, wine, fruit juice, tomato sauces, sports drinks, and berries. The same is true for staining your braces.

What happens if you drink juice with braces? ›

Fizzy drinks (including fizzy water) and excessive amounts of fresh fruit juices-these can cause decay and dental erosion. Milk, water and dilute squash are the safest drinks. Nail biting and pen chewing as this can damage the brace.

Why is soda bad for braces? ›

Soda's aren't great for patients with metal or gold braces. Foods with a high acid content, such as soda, can tarnish braces over time. Clear aligners are not safe from these acids either. Though they are stain-resistant, they can still stain if you frequently drink dark or colored sodas.

Can you drink lemon water with retainers? ›

It's best to avoid lemon water with Invisalign as the acidity may damage the aligners. Stick to plain water instead.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5488

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.