It’s a proven fact and most people tend to agree that the flavor of lemon is refreshing. Whether it’s a lemon-flavored popsicle, yogurt, or just a lemon spicing up your glass of water, many people enjoy this sour sensation.
If you suck on lemons directly, however, you may be putting your dental health in jeopardy. […]
First of all, acid erosion occurs when acidic substances come in contact with tooth enamel. The acid causes tooth enamel to soften and release valuable minerals. Over time, saliva neutralizes acids, re-mineralizes tooth structure, and, thus, re-hardens tooth enamel. Problem is, if acid comes in contact with teeth again, before saliva’s restoration powers have worked their magic, the tooth cannot recover. Enamel wears down (we call this tooth structure loss or TSL), and the sensitive underlying layer of dentin can become exposed. Repeated acid attacks can result in thinner tooth enamel, possible change in tooth appearance, small cracks on edges of teeth, and mild to extreme tooth sensitivity. TSL can also increase the risk for cavities. […]
