It is one of the trendy drinks, known to provide numerous health and slimming benefits: lemon water. Indeed, it is one of grandmother’s recipes to which many virtues have been attributed, such as boosting immunity thanks to its vitamin C content, getting rid of toxins, or even promoting weight loss. However, this so-called miracle drink should not be abused according to Dr. Andrej Bozic, dental surgeon, interviewed by the British daily newspaper The Mirror.
Why can lemon water pose a risk to dental health?
Be careful not to overuse lemon water according to the dental surgeon, because lemon juice has a pH of around 2, which is very acidic. Or, “this acidity can erode your tooth enamel, which is the hard, protective outer layer”, he explains.
Furthermore, the expert adds that enamel erosion is irreversible and can lead to other health problems, such as tooth sensitivity or cavities. “Once enamel is worn away, it does not grow back: your teeth become more vulnerable to cavities and damage”, he says. For example, your teeth may become more sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks. But he adds that enamel erosion can also cause aesthetic concerns, such as “discoloration and yellowing of the teeth”.
How to consume lemon water safely?
According to Dr Andrej Bozic, you should therefore not make drinking lemon water a habit. “Frequency and duration of exposure are key factors in enamel erosion: sipping lemon water throughout the day or letting it hang around in your mouth can amplify the damage.”, he explains.
However, if you want to continue drinking lemon water daily, the dental surgeon recommendsuse a straw to limit its effects on the teeth: “Using a straw can reduce contact between acidic lemon water and your teeth, which helps prevent enamel erosion”. He also recommends making sure to rinse your mouth with the water after drinking it, to remove any residual acidity. Furthermore, he advises waiting at least 30 minutes after consuming lemon water to brush your teeth without endangering the enamel.
But the expert also suggests turning to drinks that are less aggressive for tooth enamel and which also have health benefits: “consider less acidic solutions like mint or cucumber infused water, which are refreshing and gentler on the teeth”. He also suggests using fluoride toothpaste to further protect the enamel of your teeth. “Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and provides additional protection against acid erosion”, he explains.
Source :
- Doctor’s warning over popular health drink that could be devastating for key part of body – The Mirror – 28 octobre 2024
