Fact Check: Does drinking lemon water help relieve tooth pain?

A Facebook post claims that lemon water can help relieve tooth pain. The claim is False.

Claim

The Facebook post titled "Health benefits of drinking lemon water", claims that drinking lemon water relieves tooth pain. In the post user Health tips, states, "Have you any fever or tooth pain or you wanna purify your blood don't mind take a lemon spoonful and half a litre water continuously for days, then see the result, you can get success from problem." She also asked to see the picture she posted where it was mentioned the health benefits of drinking lemon water, that lemon water boosts the immune system, balances pH, flushes out unwanted materials, decreases wrinkles and blemishes, relieves tooth pain, relieves respiratory problems, cure throat infections, excellent for weight loss, reduces fever, blood purifier.

In addition to other claims, the post claims that lemon water relieves tooth pain.

The post can be accessed here.

Fact check

The claim is False. While lemon offers many health benefits, there is no evidence to support its role in relieving tooth pain. On the contrary, due to its acidic nature, lemon can damage the remaining tooth enamel and potentially increase dentinal sensitivity instead of alleviating toothache. Therefore, it is incorrect to claim that lemon has a pain-relieving effect on toothaches.

Toothache and Its Management

Toothache or tooth pain, medically referred to as odontogenic pain, is pain initiated from the teeth or their supporting structures, the mucosa, gingivae, maxilla, mandible or periodontal membrane.

There can be several reasons for pain in the tooth. The primary causes of tooth pain involve inflammation of the dental pulp resulting from tooth decay (dental caries), sensitivity of the dentin to cold, sweet, or physical stimuli, apical periodontitis, dental abscesses, pain caused by dental procedures (iatrogenic), teeth grinding (bruxism), and discomfort during root canal treatment or apicectomy.

Managing odontogenic pain primarily aims to alleviate symptoms, typically using analgesics like pain relievers and NSAIDs. Antibiotics are also prescribed if there are signs of infection spreading locally or systemically. In cases where the root canal system is infected, root canal therapy or tooth extraction is performed

Lemon and its benefits 

Lemon scientifically known as Citrus Lemon (L.) belongs to the family of Evergreen tree species named Rutaceae that is commonly found in South Asia and primarily in North East India. A lemon without its peel provides 17 calories, whereas with the peel, it has 22 calories. One tablespoon of lemon juice contains 3 calories, and according to “World’s Healthiest Foods,” a quarter cup of lemon juice offers 31% of the recommended vitamin C intake, 3% of folate, and 2% of potassium, amounting to 13 calories. Lemon is recognized for its diverse characteristics and significance in various areas of life, including food, medicine, and nutrition. However, its most notable aspect is its substantial medicinal and nutritional value. Lemon juice helps with obesity, it is also used in hypertension, lemon, along with its juice, leaf oil, citric acid, alkaloids, and various other nutrients, is used in conditions like osteoporosis, insomnia, asthma, nausea, vomiting, travel sickness, acne spots, throat infections, scurvy, fever, and maintaining pH balance, among others.

Does drinking lemon water help relieve tooth pain?

Lemon is valued for its substantial medicinal and nutritional benefits such as aiding in weight management and is beneficial in conditions such as osteoporosis, insomnia, asthma, nausea, vomiting, travel sickness, acne, throat infections, scurvy, fever, and balancing pH levels. Lemon juice exhibits essential nutrients, including vitamin C, folate, and potassium, supporting overall health.

Although, it possesses medicinal and nutritional benefits, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that lemon juice relieves tooth pain.

On the contrary, some studies have been found going against the claim and have demonstrated the ill effects of lemon juice on tooth surfaces specifically on tooth enamel. A study reported that lemon juice caused enamel erosion of human deciduous teeth. The study published in the European Journal of Dentistry showed the adverse effect of lemon juice on tooth enamel.

Another study published in the Bioscience Biotechnology Research Communications has concluded that lemon juice serves as a cause for enamel erosion. 

Similarly, the study led by Mohamed A Bassiouny et al. showed that lemon juice caused the most significant damage to the coronal portions (crown portion of teeth) of the teeth.

In addition, some studies have shown the ability of lemon to improve oral health, one such study published in the Journal of Oral Hygiene and Health has concluded that oral hygiene could be effectively and safely maintained using lemon juice for rinsing. But the study had no mention of lemon and its impact on tooth pain. 

Another research article by Katuromunda M et. al. revealed that ethanolic extracts of Mondia whitei and lemon possess strong antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, the primary causative agent of dental caries. 

Although these studies associate lemon with overall dental health, particularly in reducing harmful bacteria responsible for caries, they do not address its role in relieving toothache. Toothache itself arises from underlying causes such as tooth decay, pulp infection, or dentinal sensitivity, which must be treated to relieve pain. Conversely, the many of these studies have highlighted the negative impact of lemon juice on tooth enamel. Moreover, no scientific evidence supports any link between lemon juice and tooth pain relief, and there is no medical consensus in the dental community on its use for alleviating toothache.

Dr. Bhumika Gupta Dani, Dental Surgeon, Dani Dental Clinic, Kawardha, Chhattisgarh told Medical Dialogues, “ While lemon has antibacterial properties, toothaches typically arise from deeper issues such as decay or infection that require professional treatment. The acidity in lemon juice can erode enamel over time, potentially worsening sensitivity. For true relief and sustained oral health, relying on targeted dental care and consulting with a dental professional is the most effective and safe approach.

Dr. Prinita Tirkey, MDS, Periodontist, Rajmata Smt. Devendra Kumari Singh Deo Govt Medical College and Hospital Ambikapur, C.G, added to this, “Lemon has absolutely no relation to relieving toothache. When it comes to toothache, quick home remedies like lemon juice might sound appealing, but they can be misleading. The real problem usually lies beneath the surface, such as decay or an infection, which needs proper care. However, the truth is that while lemon has some antibacterial properties, it’s highly acidic and can weaken tooth enamel over time, potentially increasing sensitivity and discomfort. Toothaches often stem from more complex issues that need attention. It's important to approach natural remedies cautiously, as they may do more harm than good for your teeth.”

Medical Dialogues Final Take

While lemon has undeniable nutritional and medicinal value, contributing to overall oral health by reducing harmful bacteria, it has no positive impact on tooth pain. Toothache, often caused by deeper issues like decay or pulp infection, cannot be relieved by lemon juice alone. Moreover, its high acidity can damage tooth enamel, potentially worsening dental sensitivity. It’s essential to approach natural remedies carefully, acknowledging their benefits without overestimating their capabilities for pain relief. Hence, the claim that lemon juice relieves tooth pain is False.