{"id":306,"date":"2024-05-06T14:31:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T14:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.malleydental.com\/blog\/?p=306"},"modified":"2024-06-25T14:41:23","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T14:41:23","slug":"how-chlorinated-pools-could-affect-your-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakelanddentalcare.net\/blog\/2024\/05\/06\/how-chlorinated-pools-could-affect-your-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"How a Chlorinated Pool Could Affect Your Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever thought about how chlorine can affect your teeth? It\u2019s understandable if you haven\u2019t. Chlorinated pools are such a big summer staple that it\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

If You Thought Chlorine Doesn\u2019t Touch Your Teeth, You Thought Wrong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though you probably don\u2019t 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\u2019s actually quite common for your teeth to come into contact with pool water \u2013 and chlorine!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too Much Chlorine Can Thin Your Enamel and Cause Dental Sensitivity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019d be much more vulnerable to problems like excessive sensitivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019s too much chlorine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Untreated Chlorine Build Up Can Lead to Gum Disease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Food\u2019s 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\u2019t be your biggest problem. If you ignore these colored warning signs of chlorine build up \u2013 a.k.a. swimmer\u2019s calculus \u2013 the deposits will grow into harmful bacteria. You could very well end up with a case of gum disease!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The treatment for swimmer\u2019s calculus is simple: visit your dentist for a cleaning! Chlorine deposits are no match for their professional, tartar-scrubbing equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take Preventative Measures so You Can Still Enjoy Pool-Time!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No one would recommend avoiding the pool completely, and if you\u2019re a competitive swimmer, reducing your pool-time isn\u2019t exactly an option. Instead, take these precautions to help protect your teeth from chlorine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n