Day 28: Lemons

As we've shared, a great way to start the day is with a big glass of water. If you are adding lemons to your water, brush your teeth first, then drink your water. Why brush first? The dental pellicle is a protein film that forms on the surface enamel that prevents continuous deposition of salivary calcium phosphate. It forms in seconds after a tooth is cleaned or after chewing. It protects the tooth from the acids.

Drinking water with lemon will cleanse your digestive tract and perhaps initiate a bowel movement (if you don’t normally eliminate first thing in the morning) to the get the toxins out of your digestive tract. The sour taste will stimulate your digestive system setting you up for good digestion and metabolism first thing in the morning.

Drink lemon-water, squeeze over salads, and add to hot meals are a few ideas. Lemon water can quench your thirst like no other flavored drink out there, something much appreciated especially in the hot summer months.

But there’s a downside we often forget to mention when it comes to drinking lemon water and it’s no slouch…

Lemon Water’s Effect On Your Teeth












All citrus fruits, due to their acids, can damage your teeth. This is especially true for lemons. They contain high amounts of citric acid that quickly wears away at the enamel of your teeth.

Enamel is hard to grow back and once it’s severely damaged, it can even be irreparable.

Wait! Do not give up on lemon water just yet.

Despite the potential for harmful effects, there are things you can do to prevent damage. Here are a few:

Try cold lemon water instead of warm lemon water. This will reduce the amount of available acid that can touch your teeth.
Do not brush your teeth immediately after drinking lemon water. Brushing and using toothpaste with abrasive substances (i.e., whiteners) can thin the softened enamel as the citric acid is still fresh on your teeth, so rinse with water, wait 30 min if possible then use a soft brush and brush gently. Or use a Waterpik on a low setting (1-2).
Drink lemon water carefully so that it does not touch your teeth or drink with a straw so that it bypasses your teeth. Consider paper straws or stainless steel to avoid more plastic in the landfills.



◊These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.