I took my 8 year old to the dentist today for a check-up. One of our concerns was the brown discoloration on her two front teeth. The first question the dentist asked was "Is she a tea drinker?" (No). The second question stunned me, "Is she a swimmer?"
Apparently a few of his swim team patients over the years have experienced discoloration. It's not permanent (he was able to scrap her's off). He didn't explain the chemical reaction taking place.
I have never heard of this before, so I thought I'd put it up here. Have any of you had this experience either with yourselves or your kids? And can anyone explain what the chlorine/dental connection is or could be?
:coffee:
Parents
Former Member
There are two affects of pool water on teeth. The first is an abnormal pH affecting the teeth. The second is also pH related but occurs even in a well maintained pool. The pH of your saliva is different from the pool water causing the proteins to precipitate discoloring your teeth.
"Frequent swimmers may be at risk for developing yellowish-brown or dark brown stains on their teeth.
Those who swim more than six hours a week continually expose their teeth to chemically treated water. Pool water contains chemical additives such as anti-microbials, which give the water a higher pH than saliva. As a result, salivary proteins break down quickly and form organic deposits on swimmers' teeth.
The hard, brown deposits, known as "swimmers' calculus," appear most frequently on the front teeth. Incidence of brown tartar is as high as 58 percent in children who swim regularly in elementary through high school.
Brushing more often and more carefully hasn't been proven to help. In fact, overuse of tartar control toothpaste can cause irritation and inflammation of the gums. However, swimmers' calculus can normally be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Those who swim competitively should be sure to visit their dentist and hygienist regularly.
Courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry (www.agd.org)"
There are two affects of pool water on teeth. The first is an abnormal pH affecting the teeth. The second is also pH related but occurs even in a well maintained pool. The pH of your saliva is different from the pool water causing the proteins to precipitate discoloring your teeth.
"Frequent swimmers may be at risk for developing yellowish-brown or dark brown stains on their teeth.
Those who swim more than six hours a week continually expose their teeth to chemically treated water. Pool water contains chemical additives such as anti-microbials, which give the water a higher pH than saliva. As a result, salivary proteins break down quickly and form organic deposits on swimmers' teeth.
The hard, brown deposits, known as "swimmers' calculus," appear most frequently on the front teeth. Incidence of brown tartar is as high as 58 percent in children who swim regularly in elementary through high school.
Brushing more often and more carefully hasn't been proven to help. In fact, overuse of tartar control toothpaste can cause irritation and inflammation of the gums. However, swimmers' calculus can normally be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Those who swim competitively should be sure to visit their dentist and hygienist regularly.
Courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry (www.agd.org)"
