After a summer full of daily swimming at the local pool, some parents may notice an unusual side effect in their children’s teeth – brown staining.
Adults and young people who spend several hours per week in a swimming pool may be prone to developing a condition that is sometimes known as swimmer’s teeth.
Also called swimmer’s calculus, this build-up of hard, brown deposits of tartar is caused by significant exposure to chemically treated water.
Water in a swimming pool has a greater pH than saliva, which causes tooth proteins to break down quickly, resulting in discoloration. However, the situation is not dangerous and can be easily treated.
“It’s a common condition among swimmers,” commented Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Dr J. Frank Collins.
He recommended that those who are concerned about stains on their teeth should increase their number of dental visits per year.
Children who spend a lot of time at swimming pools may also be at risk of dental injuries as a result of slip-and-fall accidents. In the case of a chipped or knocked-out tooth, the child should be brought to a dentist as soon as possible.
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