At Natural Health Strategies, we promote lemon water due to its healing properties and nutritional benefits. Integrating lemon water into your daily routine can improve your health tremendously. However many people worry about the impact lemon juice will have on their tooth enamel. Fortunately there are ways keep your teeth strong while reaping the benefits of lemon water. Keep reading to learn 5 strategies to protect tooth enamel from lemon juice.
Benefits of Lemon Water
Lemon water contains a multitude of benefits: it aids in digestion, boosts collagen production, enhances immunity, and can support the liver!
Due to the atomic structure of lemon juice mirroring digestive juices found in the stomach, it signals the liver to produce bile, which essentially allows food to flow through your body and GI tract seamlessly (1). In addition, it can alleviate bloating and indigestion as it allows the urinary tract to function optimally.
Vitamin C, which contains antioxidants, is a notable constituent of lemon water and can fight free radical damage, which boost collagen production. This allows your skin to maintain its vibrancy and decreases the amount of wrinkles present.
Furthermore, the notorious vitamin C present in lemon water is also imperative in relation to immunity and balancing pH levels. Lemon are alkaline-forming and a good source of amino acids. This makes them helpful for keeping the pH in balance while supporting the liver. Ascorbic acid, which is synonymous with vitamin C, is a water-soluble antioxidant and can reduce the duration of respiratory infections like the common cold (2).
Lastly, since lemons are packed with citric and ascorbic acid, the increased volume of urine can counteract the deleterious effects of kidney stones. During a study conducted at Duke University Medical Center, patients who were treated with lemon therapy for four years were able to decrease kidney stone formation from 1 per year to .13 per year (3).
Tooth Enamel Concerns
There are many concerns about the preservation of tooth enamel due to its role in maintaining healthy teeth. Tooth enamel is a thin substance that forms a shell around the top of every tooth, and since tooth enamel does not contain living cells, this can be attributed to its inability to grow (4). Once the enamel is damaged, it dissipates, causing tooth sensitivity and stained teeth. Acidic foods and beverages can weaken the tooth enamel. Optimal enamel is crucial in order to prevent cavities and other oral issues from arising. In addition, the strength of the enamel actually prevents teeth from decaying and degrading.
How to Protect Tooth Enamel from Lemon Juice
1. Consume it at once instead of sipping on it throughout the day.
Drinking it once per day limits tooth exposure to acidic juice. Instead of prolonging the enamel’s exposure to acid throughout the day, try drinking a glass of water with the juice of 1 whole lemon as a part of healthy morning routine. In addition, cold lemon water can reduce the potency of acid present (5).
2. Rinse mouth with plain water after drinking lemon water.
Brushing teeth after drinking lemon juice can push the acid into the teeth, where swishing your mouth out with plain water simply rinses it off. This strategy helps normalize your saliva. Saliva is composed of minerals that offset demineralization that can occur from consuming acidic food and drink.
3. Use Tooth-Supportive Supplements.
A few helpful ones include Min-Col Forte, Diatomaceous Earth, and Horsetail. Their individual benefits are listed below.
Min-Col Forte is a neutral source of calcium and colloidal minerals that helps to strengthen bones and teeth while balancing pH. pH impacts the level of resistance in the body. This impacts the rate of our digestion and how well our body absorbs nutrients.
Diatomaceous Earth was discovered in 1836 in Germany and we are still unearthing the untapped healing potentials of this powerful compound today. It is a good source of silica and helps strengthen bones, joints, nails, and teeth.
Horsetail Tea is another source of silica which makes it commonly used to promote healthy hair, nails, and teeth. Also, it aids in reducing blood cholesterol and affects lipid metabolism. It tastes sweet, yet bitter, and has a plethora of medicinal properties that allows it to strengthen and repair teeth. Horsetail can even support the regrowth of enamel (6)!
4. Practice Oil-Pulling.
Oil-pulling, an ancient practice that involves swishing oil in your mouth to remove bacteria, improves oral microbiome and helps to prevent tooth decay. Essentially it “pulls” bacteria from the mouth and can moisturize your gums while promoting saliva production, which further reduces bacteria. In addition, it is an effective remedy to improve gum health and reduce inflammation. This practice is easy to implement into your morning or evening routine, although it is most effective first thing in the morning. Check out Rachel Link’s (MS, RD) article outlining the five simple steps of oil-pulling here.
5. Visit your Dentist for Regular Cleanings.
This habit helps to keep teeth clean and prevent tooth decay. Hygienists can remove plaque more efficiently since they know how to clean the intricate areas of the mouth. They also get rid of tartar, which develops when plaque isn’t eliminated. Tooth loos can also be prevented if the causes of inflammation and gum disease are detected prematurely. One of my favorite dentists in the area includes:
- Dr. Patricia A. Ryan, DDS – Family & Cosmetic Dentistry (Fullerton, CA)
Dr. Ryan’s dental practice is devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles. Check out Dr. Patricia Ryan here.
Although there are concerns associated with the consumption of lemon water on a regular basis, by using the strategies outlined above, you can enjoy the benefits lemon water has to offer while also protecting your tooth enamel. The benefits certainly outweigh the risk when it comes to incorporating lemons into your lifestyle.
