Tooth Sensitivity from Swimming? Charlottesville Dentistry can Help

There are quite a number of aquatic centers and pools here in Charlottesville. We think that’s wonderful because swimming is great exercise for your whole body. Unfortunately, for some people, swimming in a pool can cause some tooth sensitivity and damage! It’s true.

You know how bad acids are for your teeth, eroding the enamel and wreaking havoc on your whole mouth. So you avoid drinking sodas and sports drinks. But if the pool you are swimming in has water with a pH lower than the proper pH of between 7.2 and 7.8, especially if you happen to swim with your mouth open, you could be damaging your teeth anyway. An article from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, explains the problem this way: “Large pools are sometimes chlorinated with chlorine gas (Cl((2))), instead of hypochlorite, because of the economic advantages. Unlike hypochlorite, gas chlorination causes pool water to become acidic because chlorine gas reacts with water to form hydrochloric acid (HCl): Cl((2)) + H((2))O — HOCl + HCl.”

How can regular swimmers protect their teeth from this kind of acid attack while continuing to receive the many health and recreational benefits of swimming?

Start by consciously keeping your mouth closed while you swim. But what will help the most is keeping up with your regular dental care, especially your Fluoride treatments. Scheduling regular Fluoride treatments can help swimmers remineralize their teeth, reducing sensitivity and strengthening the enamel. For more information about caring for and protecting your teeth through advanced dentistry, call me Dr. Jack Kayton at my Charlottesville Dental Office at 434.977.3939.