When looking for ways to beat the summer heat, the most popular activity that comes to mind is visiting a local swimming pool. Kids love the opportunity to practice their diving, cannonballs, and even their handstands. It’s easy to spend hours watching them play and have fun. But how safe is the water for their developing smile? Can exposure to the chemicals cause problems for their pearly whites? Keep reading to learn how to protect their teeth.
What Problems Can Arise Because of Pool Water?
The primary problem associated with overexposure to pool water is how the chlorine interacts with teeth. Although it may not be the problem directly, this disinfectant can result in further damage to your child’s teeth. Here’s how:
- Too much exposure to chlorine can cause tooth sensitivity, making it uncomfortable for your child to enjoy hot or cold foods and drinks while at the pool.
- Pool water can become acidic if the pH levels are too low. As a result, the water can soften your child’s tooth enamel.
- Excessive chlorine can lead to brown stains developing on your child’s teeth.
Fortunately, most of these issues arise when swimming is a daily occurrence. If your little one is not a frequent visitor to the pool, they’re unlikely to experience these issues. However, if they are donning their bathing suit and spending hours each day hitting the water, you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep their smile properly protected.
How Can You Protect Your Child’s Smile?
If you’re worried that you won’t be able to take your child to the pool this summer, relax. They can still have fun swimming with their friends as long as they practice the following:
- They will need to rinse their mouth with fresh water after they’re done swimming.
- They’ll need to drink regular water to stay hydrated out in the hot sun. This also flushes out harmful bacteria and chemicals that may be in their mouth, as well as stimulating salivary glands that neutralize acids.
- They can try to avoid opening their mouth underwater to prevent additional exposure to chlorine.
Swimming pools don’t have to be off limits this summer. Instead, when you take the necessary precautions to safeguard their teeth, it can remain a fun activity for your child to enjoy.
About the Practice
Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers one-stop convenience for families throughout Nashua and its surrounding communities. With three trusted experts on staff, we deliver personalized care to help children maintain healthy smiles at every stage of development. From infants to teenagers, we can provide educational tips to help keep teeth protected against stains, decay, and other potential problems. Visit our website or call (603) 880-5002 to schedule an appointment.