There’s nothing better than a swim in the pool to cool down during the hot summer months, but before you dive in you should be aware of how your time in the pool can impact your oral health in Bloomington. That’s right, the chlorine in swimming pools doesn’t just cause dry skin and eye irritation, it can also have an effect on our teeth.
Chlorine Versus Our Teeth
The reason swimming pools contain chlorine is that it helps to decontaminate the water from microbes and other unpleasant things that could pose health and sanitation risks to swimmers. However, when chlorine is added to water, it forms a weak acid, and unless the pool’s pH isn’t carefully regulated, that acid can lead to a condition called swimmer’s calculus.
Swimmer’s calculus is yellow and brown stains that can develop on teeth enamel after too much exposure to chlorine. It’s also what can make our teeth feel more sensitive after swimming because enamel erosion leaves the dentin underneath your teeth more vulnerable. When we have good oral health in Bloomington, our saliva works to keep our mouths as close to a neutral pH as possible. This protects our enamel from erosion, but acid exposure can harm enamel before the saliva can do its job.
This isn’t usually a problem for casual swimmers, but anyone who is a serious swimmer or participates in water sports should be aware of the possibility of developing swimmer’s calculus. The best ways to prevent chlorine damage to your teeth is to maintain a good oral health in Bloomington. To do this, you must establish a routine of daily brushing, flossing, drinking plenty of fresh water to flush out the chlorine residue, and keeping your mouth closed while swimming!
Dental Concerns Of Scuba Diving
If swimming pools aren’t your thing but you love snorkeling and diving, your teeth will be safe from the effects of chlorine, but they may still face other problems. Barodontalgia, commonly called tooth squeeze, is when tiny air bubbles trapped in cracks, crevices, and holes in our teeth change size due to pressure. This pressure change can result in significant tooth pain and can even fracture teeth, and a good preventative measure is a dental appointment before diving season begins!
Most divers are familiar with how uncomfortable those “one size fits none” mouthpieces can be, but do you know they can be bad for your teeth? Divers with poorly-fitting mouthpieces have to clench to keep them in place, and this can lead to Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ), which causes jaw pain and headaches and makes it uncomfortable to chew. If you’re a frequent diver, you might want to invest in a custom-fitted mouthpiece.
Let’s Get Those Teeth Ready For The Water!
We want all of our patients to have a wonderful summer enjoying their favorite water sports and activities without fear of the effects on their teeth. Schedule a dental appointment so that we can make sure your teeth are healthy. We can also answer any of your questions about underwater tooth problems and how to avoid them! For more information on our other services such as gum disease treatment, emergency dental care, and general dentistry, give us a call at 812-332-1405!
Take time to cool off this summer! You deserve it!
Contact Create A Smile, PC – Dr. Ken Moore:
812-332-1405
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
219 E. 17th St.
Bloomington, Indiana
47408
