I’m a dentist and putting a popular, cheap citrus in your water may help freshen your breath AND kill bacteria
DRINKING lemon water can have some surprisingly valuable health benefits, dentists say.
While some water with a slice of citrus can add some zest to the essential drink, it's also known to be great for hydration.
Drinking plain water infused with lemon juice can prevent dental decay by helping with hydration - leading to more saliva.
“Hydration is key for good salivary production, and the most protective natural remedy of tooth decay happens to be a well-hydrated mouth,” dentist Rhonda Kalasho said, according to .
Kalasho also said the acidity of the fruit makes it naturally antiseptic.
"This means it helps to kill some bacteria in the mouth, which naturally helps to get rid of stink and freshen breath."
However, the lemon water's acidity can be dangerous for your teeth and gums in the long run if it's consumed regularly.
The drink's acidity can demineralize your teeth, meaning that it softens the enamel which protects your mouth.
Softening the enamel can lead to yellowing, cavities, and sensitive teeth and gums.
While it's something to be cautious about, anything acidic in your diet could cause this softening - including coffee and wine.
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In order to prevent the harmful effects of the lemon water's acidity, dentist Sharon Huang recommends drinking through a straw.
"When you sip through a straw, the acidic beverage partially bypasses your teeth, which helps prevent the acidity from causing erosion on your enamel," Huang advised.
"And then immediately rinse your mouth with water once finished."
While it could be helpful to rinse out your mouth, Huang recommends waiting at least 30 minutes after your drink to actually brush your teeth so that you can make enough saliva to counteract demineralization.
If you're only drinking water with lemon juice on occasion, you should be safe from the harmful effects.
“It is possible, but very rare, that you’d see holes or chips in the teeth from drinking lemon water," Kalasho said.
"The exception is if you are drinking lemon water that is barely diluted—meaning a high lemon juice to H2O ratio—extremely frequently, sucking on lemons, or bathing your teeth in lemon water all the time.
"Straight lemon on the teeth daily is a lot more harmful than lemon water."
Kalasho recommends mixing at least eight ounces of water with the fresh lemon.
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