Dentists warn against 'limes for toothache' home remedy

"Place a lime wedge to alleviate toothache in just a few seconds," reads part of a Sinhala-language Facebook post shared on April 18, 2023.

The post goes on to say: "Take a wedge of lime and rub it on the area where it hurts. This will immediately relieve the pain. The citric acid and vitamin C will provide you relief from the pain."

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Screenshot of the false Facebook post captured on August 7, 2023.

Posts touting a similar false claim were also shared elsewhere on Facebook here and here.

Hemantha Amarasinghe, chairman of the Sri Lanka Dental Association, told AFP on July 31 the practice is "neither safe nor verified".

"This is not a remedy with scientific backing. Additionally, such ad hoc practices could expose dental health to various risks such as decay," he said.

Also responding to the false posts, a representative for the American Dental Association told AFP on August 1: "Foods and beverages that are high in acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion, which is permanent."

"Exposures to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time."

Toothaches could have different underlying causes including cavities, gum disease or abscesses, the representative added.

Multiple studies published in peer-reviewed journals for example here, here and here have found links between tooth erosion and acid in food and beverages (archived links here, here and here).

The UK's National Health Service advises those with a toothache that lasts more than two days to see a dentist (archived link).

It says some remedies while waiting for a dental appointment include: taking painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol, rinsing the mouth with salt water, using a pain-relieving gel and eating soft food while avoiding chewing with the sore tooth.