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HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED<\/b> any extra sensitivity in your teeth after a fun afternoon swimming? You aren\u2019t imagining things, though it usually takes more than just one trip to the local pool before there are any effects. But what does swimming have to do with tooth sensitivity?<\/p>\nThe Effects Of Chlorine On Tooth Enamel<\/h3>\n
When you hear the phrase \u201cswimmer\u2019s calculus,\u201d you might think it\u2019s advanced math for mermaids, but it\u2019s actually the name of what gradually happens to tooth enamel with enough exposure to acidic chlorine ions in pool water. Chlorine in pools is great for keeping them sanitary for the public to swim in, but it also changes the acidity of the water.<\/p>\n
Prolonged exposure to the diluted hydrochloric acid in pool water can wear away the tooth enamel<\/strong> of avid swimmers, leading to yellow and brown stains on the teeth and increasing tooth sensitivity. A few visits to the pool over the summer wouldn\u2019t be enough to produce this result, but members of swimming or diving teams, water polo players, and anyone who swims laps multiple times a week to work out, could be susceptible.<\/p>\n Natural bodies of water won\u2019t give you swimmer\u2019s calculus, but they come with their own dental concerns. If you\u2019ve ever dived into the deep end of a pool, you\u2019ve probably felt the pressure building up in your ears on the way down. The deeper you go, the stronger the pressure becomes, and it can even happen in your teeth.<\/strong><\/p>\n Tooth squeeze (barodontalgia) is when tiny air bubbles that get trapped in crevices, cracks, and holes in our teeth change size due to pressure, which can be painful and may even cause a tooth to fracture!<\/strong> This is why it\u2019s a good idea to visit the dentist before you begin diving, especially if you\u2019ve had dental work done in the past.<\/p>\n A lot of divers agree that the \u201cone size fits all\u201d design of the mouthpieces is more like \u201cone size fits none,\u201d but if you want to breathe underwater, you have to grip it between your teeth for the entire dive anyway. This can be pretty hard on your jaws.<\/strong><\/p>\n Clenching your jaws for extended periods can lead to temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ),<\/strong> with symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing. If you dive more than once or twice a year, a good solution might be to get your own custom-fitted mouthpiece.<\/p>\nA Deeper Dive: Scuba Diving And Teeth<\/h3>\n
Diving Mouthpieces And TMJ<\/h3>\n