Do Citrus Fruits Cause Dental Issues?

If you’re on a diet or you’ve been sticking to light meals, you’re likely adding citrus fruits. Including citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, in your diet can contribute to a nutritious eating plan. They help boost immunity, promote heart health, and maintain skin elasticity. But believe it or not, citrus fruits can potentially harm your teeth if consumed in excessive amounts.

If you can’t skip eating lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits, here’s what you need to know to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

How Do Citrus Fruits Harm Your Teeth?

Despite the numerous health benefits citrus fruits offer, consuming too many of them can negatively impact your dental health.

• Enamel erosion. While citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, they are extremely acidic, which can erode your enamel. Take note that when your enamel becomes thinner, it can weaken your teeth. And when this happens, your teeth become more vulnerable to cavities, discoloration, and tooth sensitivity.
• Tooth sensitivity. Do your teeth hurt after eating grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, or tangerines? Their high acidity, which causes discomfort and pain, could be the cause. As mentioned earlier, consuming highly acidic foods and beverages can erode the enamel and contribute to tooth sensitivity.
• Tooth discoloration. If you have been regularly consuming oranges, lemons, and other fruit juices, you might notice that your teeth start to have a yellow hue. While citrus fruits are not actually known to directly cause tooth discoloration, their acidic nature can indirectly stain your teeth. Citrus fruits that contain citric acid can gradually damage your enamel. And to reiterate, weakened enamel can make your teeth susceptible to dental issues, including discoloration.
• Cavities. Can oranges and other citrus fruits increase the risk of cavities? Surprisingly, yes! While citrus fruits are good components of a healthy diet, they can increase your risk of developing cavities. When you consume oranges, grapefruits, or lemons, the acid comes into contact with your teeth. This increased acidity then weakens your enamel and wears it down over time. When this happens, your enamel becomes more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay.

How Can You Protect Your Teeth?

Should you stop eating citrus fruits? Absolutely not!

While it is true that citrus fruits can potentially harm your dental health due to their acidity, there are various ways to protect your teeth while enjoying these fruits. Here are some tips to keep citrus fruits from damaging your teeth:

• Practice moderation. Limiting your citrus fruit intake can help minimize acidic exposure and reduce the risk of dental issues.
• Rinse your mouth with water after eating or add more water to your daily routine. Always do this after eating oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits. In doing so, you’ll help wash away the acid and prevent its contact with your teeth and buildup on the surfaces of your teeth.
• Visit your dentist regularly. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining your dental health. A dentist can identify early signs of dental problems and provide proper advice on protecting your teeth.

Get Personalized Dental Care in Calgary, AB

Don’t panic if you are a citrus fruit lover. By following the abovementioned tips and consulting one of our dentists here at Embrace Dental Care, you can keep your teeth healthy. Learn how by scheduling an appointment today.