found that lemon juice eats away at tooth enamel, which protects your teeth from decay. [1] X Research source You can prep a container of lemon water and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to enjoy it. Lemon water, of course, is not as detrimental to your enamel as pure lemon juice, but it still unnecessarily exposes your teeth to acid. After eating a lemon, gurgle some water and, if tolerable for you, eat dairy products to neutralize the acidity, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 3. They say you are what you eat. But perhaps more insidious and damaging than these very obvious teeth cracking confections are the Nibs, sour balls, lemon drops, Jolly Ranchers and numerous other examples of popular SUCKING CANDIES. “Without that layer of enamel to insulate your nerves, the temperature of the food can be more aggravating,” he says. During lunch and dinner drink small sips of lemon juice diluted in a glass of water. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The less regular exposure to acid, the stronger your teeth will remain. Putting these fruits against your teeth for any period of time is a sure way to soften the enamel on your teeth. When you cut the lemons, you won’t quarter them the entire way, which is why you leave the bottom nub uncut. The operative word on these delights is sucking, as in allowing them to linger languishly in your mouth as they slowly dissolve and release their sweet essence. the high acidic levels in citrus fruit (lemons and limes in particular) are extremely harsh on your tooth enamel. This article has been viewed 117,817 times. Lemon-Aid Your Habit. While you can eat lemon raw the way you might an orange, the high acidity level may bother your teeth or stomach. % of people told us that this article helped them. Other Ways to Enjoy Lemon Try lemon curd. If you suspect your teeth are sensitive to sugar, there are steps you can take to neutralize the effect. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C which is very beneficial for … • Drink … Why? To make extra for later, add double the water and sugar and divide when cool. Now for the bad news: The acid in lemon juice can damage the enamel of your teeth. To turn the lemonade into a lemon soda, mix equal parts lemonade and sparkling water and serve with an extra shot of lemon juice. Your fix: After snacking on citrus fruit or drinking a glass of O.J., chug a tall glass of water. Because it weakens the enamel on your teeth. This normalises your saliva, which helps to remineralise your enamel. Learn more... Lemons are a flavorful but sour fruit, and they’re not often eaten raw and alone the way other citrus fruits are. Did You Know That Clean Teeth Prevent Cancer? Half lemon juice and half water in a shot glass may be bracing, but a taller glass with more water dilutes the citric acid and is just as refreshing. Lemon olive oil is wonderful in the winter because it brings a taste of summer to your meals. A healthy lifestyle not only means eating well, but also exercising regularly and replacing your soft drinks with water or tea -- and perhaps a wedge of lemon for taste. You can also use lemons to make lemon icing, lemon pepper seasoning, or lemon cake. In addition, you can mill the strawberries and mix with your toothpaste to brush your teeth every day to get faster improvement. lemon seeds won't hurt you at all. Always cut to the inside of the membrane, so that the lemon wedge doesn’t have the membrane attached. So what’s the downside to a glass of lemon water? To learn how to preserve lemons, read on! There are other popular ways of eating lemon, and they usually involve adding the juice or rind to drinks, baking, and other dishes. The gum encourages saliva production, and the saliva washes your teeth. Use juice from a fresh lemon, not the concentrated, commercial lemon juices. So many of my patients drink lemon water every morning. When it becomes eroded, it can leave your teeth at risk for cavities and other damage. Exercises for Abdominals without Hurting Your Back. Let’s start with the basics. This means you should wait at least 30 minutes after drinking or eating acidic drink or food to prevent brushing your enamel away accidentally. Use a straw when drinking lemon juice. Use this to brush your teeth for a minute thoroughly. wikiHow's. There are many reasons why you or someone in your life may be trying to get by eating without teeth or dentures. Just after you're exposed to the acid in citrus fruit, your teeth are softened, which means vigorously brushing right away could actually abrade the enamel, warns Jablow. If you still have your wisdom teeth and they’re trying to emerge from your gums in an awkward position or without enough space, you’ll definitely experience some tooth pain, Dr. Natour says. After drinking the acidic lemon water, rinse your mouth with water immediately. And in no better place can that be seen than in your teeth. If you can't go without your daily coffee or other acidic items, there are some ways to ward off impending dental erosion. If your teeth are healthy, a hard outer layer of enamel covers them to protect the nerves inside. Fruit is always the better option here, too. Lemon’s have high levels of citric acid. Strawberry’s mild detergent will help to wipe the stains on your teeth without eroding the tooth enamel. If you add lemon juice to water or tea, drink the beverage through a straw to keep as much of the acid off your … To offset this effect, here are 5 suggestions to help balance the acid in citrus while protecting your teeth. "The enamel of your teeth has tiny pits and ridges that grips onto what we eat, especially if they are darker in colour – like coffee," explains Dr Thorley. Learn from the experts with wikiHow Pro Videos. #5 Baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A one-quart (946-ml) canning jar with lid. Drink through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. You can either eat the lemons plain, with sugar, or you can add them to a salad, a fruit cocktail, or another dish. You Won’t Feel Hungry. Enamel is the protective covering that defends your teeth against all sorts of things. After 30 days, the preserved lemons are ready to use. Finally, most coffee is quite acidic, especially when consumed in large amounts. 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