A morning glass of hot water with lemon could be ruining your teeth

August 24, 2015  17:04

Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyoncé and countless others swear by it, but drinking hot water with lemon in the morning could be playing havoc with your teeth.

At a recent dental check up, I received a nasty shock when my dentist informed me that my daily 'healthy' habit had caused enamel erosion.

The dentist revealed she'd seen a huge rise in similar cases in young women thanks to the drink's growing popularity, even having to give one 21-year-old a set of veneers because of the severe damage it had caused.

A spokesperson for the British Dental Association (BDA) confirmed this with HuffPost UK Style: "Lemon juice is a popular drink in the morning but unfortunately it is highly acidic (with a pH between 2 and 3) and therefore can contribute to enamel erosion or tooth wear over time.

"The temperature of the water can also make a difference, erosion is more severe at higher temperatures."

They recommend swapping the hot water with lemon for coffee or tea in the morning as they're kinder to teeth - although take care with herbal teas as the fruit-based versions are often acidic.

The BDA also warned that if you're adding sugar or honey to your lemon water, it can have a "double whammy effect" on teeth.

"Lemon juice can cause erosion and sugar increases the risk of tooth decay," they said.

If you really can't go without your lemon-y fix, they suggest having it as an occasional treat - drinking it through a straw to avoid contact with teeth, diluting it as much as possible, and only consuming the drink at meal times.

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