Have you ever thought about how chlorine can affect your teeth? It’s understandable if you haven’t. Chlorinated pools are such a big summer staple that it’s easy to take them for granted. However, if you spend more than six hours a week swimming in your backyard or at your YMCA, you have an increased risk of developing dental complications. Keep reading to learn more about what those complications are and how you can avoid them.
If You Thought Chlorine Doesn’t Touch Your Teeth, You Thought Wrong
Even though you probably don’t swim with your mouth wide open, water still seeps in through your lips. Plus, think about every time you blow bubbles under water, laugh on a water slide, or get into a splash war. It’s actually quite common for your teeth to come into contact with pool water – and chlorine!
Too Much Chlorine Can Thin Your Enamel and Cause Dental Sensitivity
We sometimes forget that, like with many members of the body, our teeth have multiple parts. Dental enamel creates a shield around your teeth. Without it, you’d be much more vulnerable to problems like excessive sensitivity.
High concentrations of chlorine will wear down your enamel. Fortunately, chlorine levels are something you can monitor. Make sure to always check your private pool’s chlorine levels and compare it to professional standards! When dealing with a public pool, look for the metal ladder railings that descend into the water. If the metal looks eroded, odds are there’s too much chlorine.
Untreated Chlorine Build Up Can Lead to Gum Disease
Food’s not the only thing that can leave residue on your teeth. Chlorine will drop off deposits that can turn pearly whites into tarnished yellows or browns. But dental staining won’t be your biggest problem. If you ignore these colored warning signs of chlorine build up – a.k.a. swimmer’s calculus – the deposits will grow into harmful bacteria. You could very well end up with a case of gum disease!
The treatment for swimmer’s calculus is simple: visit your dentist for a cleaning! Chlorine deposits are no match for their professional, tartar-scrubbing equipment.
Take Preventative Measures so You Can Still Enjoy Pool-Time!
No one would recommend avoiding the pool completely, and if you’re a competitive swimmer, reducing your pool-time isn’t exactly an option. Instead, take these precautions to help protect your teeth from chlorine:
- Wear a mouthguard or pH strips
- Get regular fluoride treatments and brush with fluoride toothpaste
- Rinse your mouth with warm water after a swim
- Take action when you notice dental sensitivity or swimmer’s calculus
The absolute best thing you can do for your swimmer’s teeth is let your dentist know that you frequent chlorinated pools! Not only can they set you up with regular cleaning treatments, but they can also recommend tips and tricks for maintaining healthy teeth. They’re your coach for all things dental, so don’t hesitate to contact them!
About the Practice
Our team at Lakeland Dental Care prioritizes patient care! That means providing a warm, friendly atmosphere so we can get to know our patients and their routines. If you’re a frequent swimmer and are thinking it’s time for a cleaning, we’d be happy to help! You can contact our office at 601-981-8166 or explore our website for more information.