You might be thinking that the greatest poolside danger for your kid’s teeth is running, slipping, and knocking out a tooth on slippery concrete. While this should certainly still be on your radar, there’s another aquatic risk to pay attention to: chlorine exposure.
To find out how chlorine could affect your child’s oral health, keep reading. We’ll throw in some protection tips on the house!
The Problem with Pools
Have you ever heard of swimmer’s calculus? It has nothing to do with Math. Instead, it names what can happen to swimmers who spend more than six hours a week in a chlorinated pool. It might be a necessary cleaning agent under normal circumstances, but extended chlorine exposure can wear down enamel and leave residue traces on pearly whites. If left untreated, this can lead to tooth sensitivity and even gum disease!
Sings of Chlorine Build-Up on Teeth
You can take some comfort in the fact that swimmer’s calculus can be relatively easy to spot. If your child’s teeth have yellow or brownish streaks, appear transparent towards the edges, or are overly sensitive to hot and cold foods, then it’s time to take them to your pediatric dentist!
How Kids Can Enjoy Pool Time Safely
Fortunately, early-stage swimmer’s calculus has a simple fix. Your pediatric dentist can clean off chlorine deposits similar to how they would remove plaque and tartar during a routine checkup. Diligently inspecting your child’s teeth after they take a dip will help you catch swimmer’s calculus before it becomes a serious problem. You can also enforce some more preventative measures to make pool time safer:
- Apply pH strips to their teeth
- Ask your dentist about athletic mouthguards for your less-than-cautious child
- Double- and triple-check that your private pool’s pH and chlorine levels meet CDC recommendations
- Check for erosion on your public pool’s railings, ladders, and pool linings
- Have your child rinse their mouths with warm water after a swim
- Use fluoride toothpaste for enamel protection
- Make sure your kids remove any retainers before they windup for a cannonball
That might seem like a lot to keep in mind, but don’t worry. Your pediatric dentist can help you stay on top of the best chlorine-shielding methods and can even give you personalized recommendations that suit your little Olympian’s unique habits. So be sure to visit their office before diving too deep into summer!
About the Practice
Both Dr. Homer Sedighi and Dr. Jessica Martin are board-certified pediatric dentists, meaning you can trust that they’re specially trained to treat all kinds of children and teens. You might even recognize Dr. Sedighi from a TV talk show or two! If you have questions about protecting your children’s teeth this summer, contact their office at 636-777-7777. Drs. Sedighi and Martin would be happy to give you advice!