Be Careful Around the Pool: How to Keep Your Teeth Safe While Swimming

If there’s one activity people associate most with summer, it’s swimming. However, if you enjoy a dip in the pool or another body of water, it’s important to remember the oral health risks that swimming can present and how to mitigate them. Here’s a brief guide to how you can damage your teeth while swimming along with a few tips to help you keep your smile healthy, shiny, and bright all summer long.

Water Safety Can Prevent Dental Damage

Lifeguards are constantly reminding kids not to run around the pool for a very good reason. The tiled decks surrounding most pools can become quite slippery when wet, and a careless step can result in a fall that leaves a tooth cracked, chipped, broken, or knocked out. Making sure that everyone around the pool knows the importance of walking carefully around it can prevent many painful and costly dental emergencies.

Wear a Mouthguard for Water Sports

Many people enjoy playing games like water polo or volleyball in the pool. Unfortunately, these games carry the same risks as all contact sports, so a ball or an elbow landing in the wrong place can lead to chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth. To prevent dental damage from interrupting your good time, wear a customized athletic mouthguard that gives your teeth superior protection.

No One Gets Extra Credit for Swimmer’s Calculus

Some athletes spend a great deal of time in chlorinated water, but too much chlorine exposure can leave its mark on your smile. If you spend more than six hours a week in a chlorinated pool, you are at a greater risk of developing swimmer’s calculus, a condition that leaves unsightly yellow discoloration on your teeth.

Thankfully, this issue can be resolved with a thorough cleaning from your dentist. If you notice unpleasant yellow stains on your teeth after a few weeks of frequent swimming, it might be a great idea to schedule your next appointment soon. You can also prevent your teeth from being exposed to chlorine by closing your mouth when you swim or switching to a saltwater pool if possible.

Too much chlorine exposure can lead to dental sensitivity, so it’s always best to be aware of a pool’s chlorine levels. While swimming comes with a variety of risks for your oral health, these can be easily minimized with the proper precautions. Keeping your smile safe and beautiful is a great way to get the most out of your summer.

About the Practice

Serenity Orthodontics helps patients achieve beautifully straight smiles from six locations in Suwanee, Jonesboro, Cumming, Roswell, and Braselton, GA. Led by Drs. Kylie Lewis, Karolina Grochowska, and Susan Podray-Donovan, the staff treats each patient with modern orthodontic methods and old-fashioned customer care. Services offered include traditional braces, clear aligners, and emergency orthodontic care. For more tips on keeping your teeth safe during the summer, contact the practice online.