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- General Dentistry: Topographic and Radiographic Profile Assessment of Dental Erosion. Part II: Effect of Citrus Fruit Juices on Human Dentition
- General Dentistry: Topographic and Radiographic Profile Assessment of Dental Erosion. Part II: Effect of Citrus Fruit Juices on Human Dentition
- Caries Research: In Vitro Study of Enamel Erosion Caused by Soft Drinks and Lemon Juice in Deciduous Teeth Analysed by Stereomicroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy
- Caries Research: In Vitro Study of Enamel Erosion Caused by Soft Drinks and Lemon Juice in Deciduous Teeth Analysed by Stereomicroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy
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Does Lemon Juice Work for Teeth Whitening?
You've doubtless heard the saying,"Don't try this at home" -- but sometimes ideas thought up at home are similarly best avoided. A few years ago, lemon and baking soda was proposed as a homemade tooth whitener, and the "tip" made the rounds on various media. Dentists, however, say you might as well wash your mouth out with your favorite soft drink -- the damage would be about the same.
Protect Your Smile
It's pretty intuitive that too much acid-packed citrus would is bad for your teeth, and baking soda is abrasive. The combination -- often used in household cleansers -- might be fine for your bathroom enamel. But it's a recipe for disaster on your teeth, says Boynton Beach, Florida, dentist Michael Barr 1. In 1996, an in-vitro study found that canned lemon juice eroded tooth enamel and that this destruction grew worse over time 3. A study published in 2008 in "General Dentistry" exposed teeth to lemon, orange or grapefruit juice, and found that lemon juice was the most corrosive to enamel. If you drink sodas or citrus beverages, drink a glass of water immediately after to protect your teeth.
- It's pretty intuitive that too much acid-packed citrus would is bad for your teeth, and baking soda is abrasive.
Related Articles
References
- Palm Beach Smiles, Michael Barr DDS: Don't Listen to Dr. Oz About Teeth Whitening!
- General Dentistry: Topographic and Radiographic Profile Assessment of Dental Erosion. Part II: Effect of Citrus Fruit Juices on Human Dentition
- Caries Research: In Vitro Study of Enamel Erosion Caused by Soft Drinks and Lemon Juice in Deciduous Teeth Analysed by Stereomicroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy
- Zimmer S, Kirchner G, Bizhang M, Benedix M. Influence of various acidic beverages on tooth erosion. Evaluation by a new method. PLoS One. 2015;10(6):e0129462. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0129462
- Oral Health Foundation. Diet and my teeth.
- Kwon SR, Meharry M, Oyoyo U, Li Y. Efficacy of do-it-yourself whitening as compared to conventional tooth whitening modalities: an in vitro study. Oper Dent. 2015 Jan-Feb;40(1):E21-7. doi: 10.2341/13-333-LR
- Ciancio SG. Baking soda dentifrices and oral health. J Am Dent Assoc. 2017;148(11S):S1-S3.
- NIH National Library of Medicine. Potassium hydroxide.
Writer Bio
Bonny Brown Jones has been a writer, columnist, copy editor and senior copy editor for newspapers that have included the "Orlando Sentinel," "Miami Herald" and "Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch." Jones has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ohio State University.