We would all like to have flawless white teeth worthy of a toothpaste commercial. But it’s not that easy. Often, in fact, the color of our teeth, and also their health, depends on the intake of food or drink.
Some such as coffee or red wine can be invasive and blacken tooth enamel. In fact, it is advisable to rinse your mouth immediately after drinking coffee to prevent it from sticking to the tooth surface.
However, there are also many other foods that can harm the health of the enamel. For example sugary drinks, candies, soft drinks such as beer, orange juice. It all depends on the amount of acid PH that these substances contain.
Pay particular attention to the intake of this famous citrus that could be aggressive for our teeth.
It is called acid erosion and causes corrosion of the enamel
It is about the lemon and in particular its juice. Lemon is an excellent ally for our health, but the high content of citric acid it possesses is responsible for the so-called acid or dental erosion. The lemon remains on the surface of the tooth for even a few seconds and immediately corrodes the enamel. This leads to the discovery of the dentin which must instead remain covered by both thermal and chemical changes. The fibers therefore remain defenseless making the tooth particularly sensitive.
For erosion, in fact, we mean a progressive loss of the hard tissues of the tooth, therefore of its mineral matrices, due to the action of chemical substances.
Unfortunately, once this situation is aggravated, there is no return. Once damaged and worn, the enamel does not regenerate. The tooth loses its brightness and blackens.
If you really can’t help but take lemon juice diluted in hot water in the morning, we have to keep in mind a couple of tips. It is known that the juice of this citrus fruit promotes the digestion process, cleans the intestines and stimulates the metabolism. But the quantity of citric acid from which it is made (it can contain up to 3-4%) can be really deleterious for the dental enamel.
The exogenous action of lemon juice is capable of lowering the PH of our oral cavity making it acidic. Lemon has a PH of 2.4 and is very high among the significant values for dental erosion.
Beware of taking this famous citrus fruit that could be aggressive for our teeth
In any case, without giving up lemon juice, we can keep in mind to take it, and not to keep it too much in contact with the teeth. You have to take small sips or even better use a straw. In this way the amount of acid goes directly to the throat. Immediately rinse your mouth with water, after drinking it, and wait a few minutes before brushing your teeth. Maybe let’s do it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and without being too aggressive.
Taking concentrated lemon juice greatly increases the risk of corroding dental enamel. Always prefer juice as a condiment for dishes, perhaps instead of vinegar or oil.