🍋 How Acidic Are Lemons for Teeth?

Lemons are popularly known for their strong, tangy flavor and are used in cooking, baking, making drinks, and in salad dressings. But do not be fooled by their low calorie count, lemons are highly acidic and therefore dangerous to your teeth. This blog explains in-depth how lemons’ acidity affects your enamel, and what the best ways to enjoy lemons without risking your teeth are. However, their zestful nature makes them highly acidic as well. Thus, these very kinds of marinades, which are appealing to the ear, may easily wear off the enamel if taken continuously.

In this blog, we dismantle the components of citrus marinades, their abrasive effect on your enamel, and some precautions you can take when enjoying strong flavors.

🔬 Why Are Lemons So Acidic?

Lemons have citric acid, one of the most powerful acids present in a food, with pH levels usually ranging from 2.0 to 2.6. It follows that lemon juice is acidic enough to cause the enamel to wear away. Lemon water, lemon-based salad dressings, and fresh lemon juice used in one’s meals are some of the food items that bring about eroded enamel after their long consecutive consumption.

• Lemon juice or lime juice – Both have low pH levels as low as 2.0–2.5.
• Vinegar – It’s frequently combined with citrus to enhance the overall taste.
• Garlic, mustard, and herbs – All may be considered somewhat acidic, although to a lesser extent.

These acids are good at breaking down the proteins in the food, but at the same time, they can soften the enamel of your teeth when they come into direct contact with your mouth.

🦷 How Lemons Affect Your Teeth

• Enamel Erosion – Continued exposure to the acid causes the enamel to wear away.
• Tooth Sensitivity – The disappearance of the enamel makes the teeth feel sensitive to hot and cold.
• Dry Mouth – Acid and salt from marinades can decrease the production of saliva.
• Increased Risk of Cavities – Acid attacks and softens tooth enamel, creating the chance of tooth decay.

🍋 Tips to Minimize Damage from Lemons

• Avoid snacks containing marinades, and consume marinated dishes as part of entire meals.
• Drink a glass of water right after you have finished your meal to wash away such acids that remain in your mouth.
• Don’t use the leftovers of juices or sauces of acidic dishes for sipping.
• Wait for 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating acidic food to prevent destroying the softened enamel.
• Eat cheese or leafy greens to neutralize the acid of acidic kind of foods.

🍋 Summary of Lema Dental Clinic’s Final Remarks Regarding Lemons

It’s good to use citrus marinades to have a richer flavor in the meal and yet when it comes to your dental health, you can’t afford to have too much of them at any one time. They are quite nourishing for the food, but at the same time, they are very enamel-eroding. Using methods such as rinsing and having alkaline food combos, instead of some not-so-wise ones, will still allow you to enjoy the sourness of the dishes you like without kicking the life out of your smile.