Ask the Dentist with Dr. Mark Burhenne

Episode #39: Is Lemon Water Bad for My Teeth?

Dec 7, 2021

22:25

Flavoring water with lemon juice has become the new rage, with people doing it for several reasons; from health benefits to making drinking water more palatable. However, lemon juice is acidic, and as we know from previous episodes with Dr. B, acid attacks in the mouth are bad for enamel! Tune in today to find out how you can safely enjoy your lemon-flavored water and other acidic drinks, where you can find a pH stick to find out exactly what it is that you are drinking, and why prevention is better than cure. We dive into the history and culture of people sucking on citrus fruits, and how this impacts your teeth. We also hear how other health conditions affect your enamel and are reminded how acid attacks work. Finally, Dr. B talks us through his feelings towards the coming winter. Press play now to find out more!

Key Points From This Episode:

What the Fall season means to Dr. B [0:00:10]
An overview of today’s topic: “Is it okay to drink lemon water all day long?” [0:04:00]
Why we drink lemon juice in the morning [0:05:06]
How drinking lemon juice in the morning compared to drinking lemon water throughout the day affects your teeth differently [0:06:09]
Why sucking on citrus will cause damage to your teeth [0:07:43]
The cultural history of sucking on citrus fruits [0:08:30]
Dr. B’s wife’s morning routine and how she drinks her lemon water safely [0:09:26]
Drinking lemon juice throughout the day: flavored water versus fresh lemon juice [0:10:46]
How to tell the pH of your drink and interpret these results [0:11:36]
The process of acid attacks within the mouth and how they overlap with drinking an acidic beverage [0:12:19]
Why prevention is the best thing to do for dental care [0:13:25]
Know what you’re drinking: don’t assume that water is neutral [0:14:20]
How to give your teeth the chance to re-mineralize [0:15:22]
Situations that will dissolve enamel in months [0:16:11]
How to snack safely throughout the day, and tips on getting kids to drink lemon water [0:19:16]