What is the primary long-term dental risk from consistent citric acid exposure?

Irreversible thinning of tooth enamel

The most significant health risk associated with the daily consumption of highly acidic substances like lemon juice relates directly to dental health. Citric acid is inherently erosive to tooth enamel, which is the protective, hard outer layer covering the visible portion of the teeth. Critically, enamel does not possess the biological capacity to regenerate or repair itself once damaged. Consequently, constant, repeated exposure to this acid over time leads to progressive thinning of this protective layer. This irreversible loss of enamel results in increased tooth sensitivity to temperature changes and potential discoloration as underlying dentin becomes more exposed.