Lemon juice is way more than just a flavor enhancer that makes your drink refreshing with a tinge of sourness.

Although sucking on a slice of lemon makes your teeth feel weird, lemon can actually help you treat many oral problems and avoid going to the dentist.

The acid in this fruit helps destroy bacteria in the mouth, thus preventing infections and maintaining your oral health. It reduces the yellow tinge accumulated on teeth, toothaches, heals bleeding gums, and eliminates bad breath.

Nevertheless, if you use them too frequently they might even damage your teeth. So, moderation is the key.

In this article, you’ll find out how to use lemons to treat different teeth and gum problems.

1. Whiten Teeth

Sm0king, w!ne, tea and coffee are the main causes of yellow teeth. But whitening the teeth can cost a lot, but using the following paste can remove the stains and give you white teeth.

You will need 2-3 tbs. of lemon juice and one tbs. of salt. Mix them and brush the teeth with it. Leave it to stay for few minutes and then rinse with pure water. Do this two times a week for better results. Avoid performing this treatment more than two times a week because the citric acid from the lemon can damage the enamel and make the teeth yellow.

2. Eliminates Bad Breath

The mouth can smell when the saliva production is reduces or the mouth is dry or you have eaten onion or garlic. But the lemon eliminates the oral bacteria and prevents dry mouth. You will need 3 tbs. of lemon juice to gargle with and then, spit it out. After that, wash the mouth to prevent the lemon’s high acidity to damage the enamel.

3. Strengthens Gums

Lemon can strengthen the gums and teeth and its content of vitamin C and its anti-inflammatory properties can heal the bleeding gums. You will need one glass of water and two tbs. of lemon juice to rinse the mouth after the meals. You can also treat the bleeding gums with applying the juice directly on the gums.

4. Reduces toothache

One of the most common causes of toothache is the tooth decay. The content of vitamin C in lemon can treat the infections and reduce the toothache. You will need one tbs. of lemon juice to soak a cotton ball and dab it on the affected area. After that, wash the mouth with water. Be careful not to leave the juice in the mouth ten to fifteen minutes as its acidic content can cause tooth damage.

Source: Cure Joy | NIH