Is Apple Cider Vinegar Bad for Your Teeth?

Apple cider vinegar has become increasingly popular in recent years. You can find it in everything from vitamins to salad dressing. People use it for purported health benefits like better gut health and weight management.

You may have even heard that apple cider vinegar whitens your teeth. But can it effectively brighten your teeth? Or does apple cider vinegar do more harm than good? Let’s take a closer look at how this home remedy affects your teeth.

Can apple cider vinegar harm your teeth?

Yes, according to the American Dental Association, prolonged contact with vinegar can harm your teeth. It may cause tooth erosion, discoloration, and sensitivity. 

Erosion

Learning how apple cider vinegar is made can help you understand how it affects your teeth.

Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apple juice. During fermentation, the sugar from the apple juice turns into alcohol. Then, the alcohol turns into acetic acid. This acidic component gives apple cider vinegar its sour taste and strong smell. It can also damage your teeth.

Acetic acid may lower the pH in your mouth and weaken your enamel — the protective top layer of your teeth. This harmful effect isn’t unique to the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar. A lab study showed that various types of vinegar can wear away enamel. Researchers found that prolonged exposure to vinegar resulted in up to a 20% loss of tooth enamel.

Unfortunately, the damage from acidic substances like apple cider vinegar can be irreversible. 

Discoloration

Acidic foods and drinks open the pores on your teeth, making it easier for stains and bacteria to settle in. So when apple cider vinegar erodes your enamel, your teeth become more susceptible to discoloration and cavities.

Thin or damaged enamel also exposes the yellowish dentin layer beneath it. When more of this layer is visible, your teeth may appear dull or discolored.

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Sensitivity

If you’ve been drinking apple cider vinegar regularly, you might notice minor tooth pain while eating hot, cold, or sweet foods. That’s because tooth enamel shields the sensitive layers beneath it, including the dentin and pulp. But tooth sensitivity worsens when acidic foods and drinks strip away this protective layer.

Does apple cider vinegar whiten your teeth? 

Apple cider vinegar may remove some surface stains on teeth. It has antibacterial properties that help remove harmful bacteria –– including those found in plaque –– from your mouth. Less plaque on your teeth can give them a brighter appearance. These are great oral health benefits, but at what cost? 

Because apple cider vinegar is so acidic, it can wear away the shiny outside layer that helps make your teeth white in the first place. Prolonged use will cause more harm to your teeth than good.

There are many safe, more effective ways to whiten your teeth, such as whitening toothpaste or strips. These methods target the core of your teeth that, when whitened, will give you a more natural result. Consult your dentist for more information on how to safely whiten your teeth.

Tips for using apple cider vinegar for your oral health

Apple cider vinegar can provide some oral health benefits when used correctly. Consider the following tips to make apple cider vinegar less harmful to your teeth: 

• Dilute it with water. Diluting apple cider vinegar with water (see instructions below) makes it less acidic. This can help reduce negative effects on your teeth. 

• Wait before brushing. Wait at least 60 minutes after consuming any apple cider vinegar product before brushing your teeth. During this time, the pH of your mouth will go from acidic to more basic. A more basic environment can reduce the risk of tooth abrasion when brushing. 

• Use a straw. Drinking apple cider makes your mouth more acidic. But using a straw will reduce the contact between apple cider vinegar and your teeth.

• Consume it with a meal. An "acid attack" occurs when your teeth are exposed to acidic foods and drinks that make them vulnerable to erosion. Consuming apple cider vinegar with meals can reduce the number of acid attacks in your mouth throughout the day. 

• Avoid sticky apple cider vinegar products like gummies. Sticky substances tend to attach and hide in the deep grooves of your teeth. This makes it harder to remove when it’s time to brush. The longer apple cider vinegar products stay on your teeth, the higher the chance of damage. 

How to dilute apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can harm your teeth and throat, especially if you drink it undiluted. Diluting it with water can help reduce its negative effects. 

Try these steps for dilution:

1. Measure 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar.

2. Pour it into a glass.

3. Add at least 1 cup (8 oz) of water.

4. Stir for 1 minute to properly mix the water and apple cider vinegar.

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Written by:

Zack Youngblood, DMD

Zack Youngblood, DMD, is a dentist who strives to change the general look of dentistry. Before stepping foot in the clinical field, he authored multiple works that helped dental students and dentists find their unique path in dentistry.

Edited by:

Lauren Savage, MA

Lauren Savage, MA, is a health editor at GoodRx, where she focuses on movement, exercise, and healthy aging. She aims to provide readers with the information they need to live healthier, more active lifestyles.

Reviewed by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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