Benefits of Lemon Juice, In Contrast To Its Effects On Tooth Enamel

What are some of the benefits of lemon juice?

Lemons are packed with nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. When you are stressed out, overworked, and have not been getting enough sleep, the level of vitamin C in your system is going to rapidly deteriorate. It’s not just oranges that are full of this very important element, and if you are battling any kind of virus, you’ll notice the difference.

Lemons are also high in potassium which can keep your heart healthy, as well as keeping your nerves and brain functioning high. If you have been exercising a lot lately or in pain from that super long workout session, the potassium is going to help you out as well. Even though you have to watch out for its heavy citrus base, it helps to prevent kidney stones from forming as well.

If you have a sore throat, lemons can help you out immensely, as mixing with a touch of honey will get you comfortable again in no time. Also, since lemon juice contains pectin, it is a soluble fiber that aids those looking to lose weight. Lemon juice even has anticancer properties, as the compounds within protect your cells from the damage that can lead to fatal illnesses.

Lemon juice has been known to be able to bring down a fever, and be a great source for the body of an alkaline food that can help balance the body’s PH, regardless of their acidity.

“Diluting lemon juice in water helps decrease the potency of the acidic attack on enamel, but you still need to take precautions to protect your enamel. Once the mouth becomes acidic, it can take an hour for it to recover to normal pH levels.”

Dr. Greg Grillo DDS

Are Lemons getting a bad reputation for no reason?

Tea, coffee, white wine, and fruits like vegetables are also known for being very acidic. The enamel present on the teeth is actually the strongest substance in the human body, and when it begins to erode, the teeth become more prone to cavities. They may begin to appear hollowed, and correcting this kind of deterioration is expensive.

Cranberry, orange, grapefruit, and pineapple drinks are also very high in acid content, as well as tomato juice. There are many out there who simply don’t know just how these “supposed goodies” can be doing so much damage, and wearing away at your teeth. In short, the properties of lemons and lemon juice are off-the-charts beneficial, but the sheer acidity can do just that one nasty deed: wear away at your teeth.

How can I benefit from lemon juice and save my enamel?

There are many recommendations for those who are drinking lemon-infused juice that say to use half a lemon if you currently weigh under 150 lbs, and a whole lemon if you are over that. When you are concerned about the acidity that lemon juice can provide for your enamel, you can drastically reduce this measurement. Even a one-fourth or one-eighth of a lemon will still provide you some benefits, and go easier on your teeth.

If you use a straw while drinking, the acidic liquid moves towards the back of your mouth, and away from your teeth. And even if you are not able to do this, you can rinse your mouth out with plain water after drinking lemon juice, because this will help normalize the saliva. The enamel that may be in danger is remineralized by the saliva, while it’s still in a soft state from the acid that just passed over it.

Right after you drink lemon water, there are some foods you can eat that will neutralize the acid, such as those in the dairy group. We fully understand that this is a very different type of taste to throw on top of the mix, but if you can stomach it, it will diffuse the enamel situation a bit.

Another very important thing that can help in this battle is holding off on brushing your teeth. After you do drink water with lemon or any acidic beverage, the act of brushing can thin the softened enamel. Waiting just an hour or using a waterpik can help greatly as far as this valuable window of time is concerned.

It is very certain that lemon can wear down the enamel of the teeth, but there are still excellent benefits you can glean from its intake. With a few of these tips under your belt and a desire to make sure you stay healthy, you can partake in the positive benefits of lemon, and save your enamel the worrisome wear and tear.

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