Evidence supporting the use of: Lemon
For the body system: Gums

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lemon has a long history of traditional use in oral health, particularly for supporting gum health. In various traditional medicine systems and folk practices, lemon juice or lemon rind has been applied to the gums, with the belief that its acidic and vitamin C-rich content helps prevent gum disease and maintain oral hygiene. The rationale stems from the knowledge that vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy, which is characterized by bleeding and unhealthy gums. Thus, citrus fruits like lemon have historically been used as a preventive or supportive measure for gum-related issues.

However, scientific studies specifically evaluating lemon's effectiveness for gum health are limited. While vitamin C is indeed important for gum tissue repair and health, the direct application of lemon juice to gums is not recommended by dental professionals due to its high acidity, which can erode tooth enamel and potentially irritate soft tissues. Most modern recommendations for gum health focus on overall vitamin C intake from the diet rather than topical use of acidic substances such as lemon. In summary, lemon’s use for supporting the gums is rooted in traditional knowledge, with some indirect scientific rationale regarding vitamin C, but lacks robust direct clinical evidence.

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