The hot summer months of June and July are the perfect time for jumping into the swimming pool to cool off and splash around. But did you know that spending a lot of time in the pool could put your teeth at risk? Here at the dental office, we all appreciate a good dip in the pool, but we want to remind you to keep your teeth healthy when staying cool this summer.
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day, there are other factors that can still cause damage to your teeth. Exposing your teeth to large amounts of chlorine can cause tooth erosion due to the acidity levels of chlorinated water. A small amount of time in the pool shouldn’t pose a threat, but people who spend a long time in the water may find that their teeth start to yellow, similar to the way that too much chlorine could cause blonde hair to turn green.
If you do spend a large amount of time in the water, it is important to take the necessary steps to minimize the amount of risk to your teeth. Before you jump in, make sure that the chlorine levels aren’t too high. Try to keep the water out of your mouth as much as possible. Don’t brush your teeth right after swimming because the acidity softens tooth enamel and you could brush the enamel away. You should also be sure to visit the dentist on a regular basis so that we can provide treatment and protective coating to keep your teeth healthy.
So when you’re protecting yourself from the heat this summer, remember to protect your teeth as well!