Swimming is usually touted as a healthy, low-impact sport. It doesn’t have the same reputation for injury as football or hockey, though injuries still occur when there is horseplay around the pool deck, or during an impact water sport like water polo or pool volleyball. Still, this isn’t the biggest concern for how swimming affects your teeth.
What you might not realize is the effect chlorine has on your oral hygiene. Chlorine is a chemical disinfectant added to tap water and swimming pools to kill harmful bacteria. The amount of chlorine coming out of your faucet isn’t a cause for concern, but exposure to pool chemicals could be worrisome with repeated exposure.
1. Tooth discolouration
Overexposure to chlorine can leave a yellow or brown residue on a person’s teeth. The condition, known as swimmer’s calculus, usually affects people who spend around six hours each week in chlorinated water.
Luckily, it is quite easy to prevent. Firstly, keep your mouth closed as much as possible while swimming and always rinse your mouth after your pool session. Fresh water works fine, but brushing with a toothpaste that contains MI Paste and xylitol additives is the most effective way to break down the acidity of pool water.
2. Enamel Erosion and Sensitivity
Aside from discolouring your teeth, chlorine also increases erosion of tooth enamel. Continued erosion can cause sensitivity in your teeth. As well, teeth can become discoloured when the enamel is worn down. The best solution is to ensure the pool’s pH levels are not harmful and to reduce the amount and time that your teeth are exposed to chlorine.
3. Damage Dental Devices
Similar to the way that pool swimming affects your teeth by eroding enamel, it can also damage retainers and dentures. Make it a habit to take out your retainer before swimming, and use a denture adhesive to make sure your dentures don’t loosen in the water.
So how can you tell whether the pH levels in a swimming pool are too high? At a swimming pool at home, you can make sure the pH levels are no lower than 7.2-7.8 or hire a pool maintenance company who will monitor the chemicals. Unsure about your local pool? Pool pH test strips are often sold in recreation supply stores. As well, there are a number of chlorine-free pools in Greater Vancouver to choose from.
