Besides supporting strengthening resistance, replenishing water and creating a feeling of refreshment, lemon juice also contains citric acid which can affect tooth enamel if used incorrectly.
Therefore, drinking lemon water reasonably will help take advantage of nutritional benefits while still protecting oral health.
First of all, lemon juice should be diluted with the appropriate amount of water. When diluted, the acid concentration decreases significantly, limiting strong contact with the tooth surface. Lemon juice should be drunk with a straw to reduce the amount of acid in contact with tooth enamel, especially the front teeth area. This is a simple but effective way to limit the risk of enamel erosion.
After drinking lemon juice, do not brush your teeth immediately. The acid in lemon can make the tooth enamel temporarily softer, if you brush your teeth immediately, it will increase the risk of enamel erosion over time. Instead, you should rinse your mouth with filtered water to remove the acid remaining in the oral cavity and wait about 30–60 minutes before brushing your teeth. This helps tooth enamel have time to naturally reminerate thanks to saliva.
In addition, it is necessary to limit sipping lemon water for long periods of time. Drinking small sips for a long time will cause teeth to be exposed to acid continuously, increasing the risk of enamel damage.
It is best to drink it for a short period of time and combine it with meals to reduce the effects of acid. At the same time, do not add too much lemon juice or add too much sugar, as sugar also contributes to increasing the risk of tooth decay.
