Go Swimming This Summer, but Protect Your Smile

Whether swimming in a pool or the ocean this summer, it’s essential to take steps to protect your teeth. Swimming can be great exercise but can also damage your teeth if you’re not careful. It is important to protect your teeth while swimming.

• Check Pool Water to Prevent Tooth-Enamel Damage

The quality of the water that we drink can have a significant impact on our health. The water in the pool is usually chlorinated and can cause damage to your tooth enamel.

It is important to check the pool water before you jump in to prevent tooth-enamel damage. You should do so when you visit the pool after someone has been swimming for a while.

Teeth can manage pH levels in pool water between 7.2 and 7.8, protecting them from damage and keeping your pool safe. However, a pH of 7.0 is a tooth-harming level and can damage the teeth. Low pH is acidic for teeth, leading to enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity. Keep test strips in your pool bag for use at public and private pools. You can avoid accidental exposure to dangerous chemicals by testing a pool before entering it.

• Always Teach Kids Not to Swallow the Pool Water

Swallowing too much water can lead to severe consequences like cramps, vomiting, and pain. It can also need to choking, chlorine poisoning (which causes difficulty breathing, sore throat, eye irritation), and other complications that could be fatal if not treated quickly enough chlorine poisoning.

Teach your children how to swim safely to avoid drowning. If they swallow too much water, watch out for symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or vomiting, and take the necessary steps to prevent complications.

• Take Care with Dental Dentures and Partials

To minimize the risk of infection from bacteria in the mouth, rinse the mouth with water for a few minutes after swimming and then use a toothpaste with an anti-bacterial agent or germ fighter. If you wear partial dentures, be careful about what you eat, drink, and swallow. Keep them clean, and brush them after each meal or use a denture cleaner. Don’t chew on the dentures. Don’t swallow them, and don’t put them in your mouth.

• Do not Squeeze Your Teeth When Scuba Diving?

If your mouth is full of water, you’re likely to bite down on your teeth and cause pain. Avoid swallowing water. Instead, use your mouth for breathing underwater. Keep your mouth open and breathe through your nose. Don’t swallow water. When you’re scuba diving, you’re likely to swallow water while swimming or diving.

• Avoid Tooth Discoloration 

Chlorine can be found in swimming pools and hot tubs. Chlorine can also cause discoloration of your teeth, so be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly before and after swimming.

Some simple things you can do to protect your teeth from the effects of chlorine include using mouthwash to remove any harmful bacteria that might be present on your lips. Then, use a gentle toothpaste that does not contain fluoride that you can rinse with. You should also swish it with salt water.

Saltwater contains a natural compound that can help neutralize the acidity of chlorine. If you have a hypersensitive mouth, you might not be able to enjoy a refreshing swim without experiencing some discomfort. If you experience tooth sensitivity when brushing or flossing, try using a fluoride mouthwash. You can also protect your teeth from erosion by using enamel protection like a mouthguard during your swim.

Tips for Protecting Your Smile

Dental visits are a routine part of getting a healthy smile. But if you don’t take the necessary precautions, you could be damaging your teeth by swimming without a dentist’s supervision. Here are some tips:

1. Stay hydrated.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can be dehydrating.

2. Keep your teeth clean.

Brush twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste and floss daily to prevent cavities.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit Fox Creek Dental by Espire Westminster for more information about dental health and pool safety.