Swimming is a favorite summertime activity. Whether you love to head to the neighborhood pool, or you are looking forward to lounging in the water at a fabulous vacation resort, swimming can allow you to get some great exercise and escape from the hot weather. But have you thought about how this activity might affect your smile? Can swimming in a pool damage your teeth? This blog post talks about the risks of chlorine exposure and how you can protect your oral health.
The Risks of Chlorine Exposure
It is common practice for pool owners to add chlorine to the water. It can kill infectious microbes that might otherwise cause swimmers to fall ill. It is especially important in public pools.
Unfortunately, chlorine has a few downsides, one of which is that it can change the pH level of the water. In fact, it might lower the pH to the point where the water is acidic enough to erode tooth enamel. In severe cases, this can contribute to extreme dental sensitivity.
Additionally, chlorine can leave deposits on your teeth, which can cause them to take on some unsightly discoloration (this issue is known as swimmer’s calculus).
Protecting Your Teeth
Do you have to give up swimming order to maintain a healthy smile? Not necessarily. Here are some tips to help you protect your precious teeth:
- Do not spend too much time in the pool. Usually, swimmer’s calculus is only a problem for people who spend more than six hours each week in chemically treated water.
- Keep your mouth closed while you are swimming. This tip is obvious for most adults. However, some children may need frequent reminders that they should not go under water with their mouth open. They should also never attempt to drink pool water.
- Avoid pools with a lower pH level. If a public pool has signs of erosion in its linings or railings, the water has probably been consistently over-chlorinated.
- Check the pH of your own pool. If you are swimming in your backyard, you can use a pH strip to test the water. A level between7 and 7.6 is recommended for swimming pools.
- Head to a natural body of water. Rivers and lakes are not treated with chlorine. Of course, they might come with their own risks, so it is important to be balanced when deciding where to swim.
- Care for your teeth. A balanced diet, good oral hygiene habits, and regular dental visits can help swimmers to maintain a healthy smile.
A few summertime trips to the pool are unlikely to harm your teeth. If you are a regular swimmer, though, you may need to take extra precautions to keep your smile healthy.
Meet the Practice
At the Center for Contemporary Dentistry, we provide general oral health services to the Belmont community. If you have questions about how you can protect your teeth from chlorine damage, we are ready to speak with you. Contact our friendly team at 603-556-7047.