Swimming Pool Water Can Damage Teeth

Jakarta, Swimming in the pool that contains chlorine not only increases the risk of children developing asthma and allergies. More recently, researchers discovered a pool of water containing chlorine can also cause tooth decay.

The use of disinfectants such as chlorine can serve to turn off a variety of bacterial pathogens in the water. But if the compound is mixed with other organic materials such as urine and sweat, then a mixture of chlorine can release products that can irritate eyes, skin and upper airways.

Recent findings researched by Dr. Leila Jahangiri from New York University College of Dentistry's Department of Prosthodontics, found that levels of chlorine and high pH limits can affect the occurrence of rapid and permanent erosion and enamel (outer layer) a person's teeth.

Cases found Dr. Leila occurred in men aged 52 years who experience problems are very sensitive teeth, teeth yellowing and darkening in color due to the rapid loss of enamel for 5 months. Loss of tooth enamel can indeed be triggered by medical illnesses such as bulimia or acid reflux, but in middle-aged men are trigger was swimming every day activities done for 90 minutes.

In addition to dental problems are highly sensitive because of eroded tooth enamel, he was also having problems of skin disorders. Upon examination it was found that continued menenerus acidity pool triggers the man's tooth decay.

The discovery of this case, according to Dr. Leila does not mean people should not swim but special attention should be the manager or owner of the pool to monitor the routine use of chlorine in the limit of safe and pH-balanced pool water.

"I do not want to give warnings to swim, but there needs to be awareness and prevention of the pool manager so that people not panic," said Dr. Leila as reported from healthzone.ca, Sunday (10/29/2011).

According to Dr. Leila, a swimming pool should have a neutral pH levels between 7.2 to 7.8. While the use of chlorine should be used so as not to be a pollutant according to the American Chemistry Council between 2.0 to 4.0 ppm (parts per million) and need not be below 1.0 ppm.

"PH balance in swimming pools very easily lost, and indeed the maintenance of the pool was not as easy as people think, but still maintaining a very important element to keep it," said Dr. Leila.

He reminded that alert parents if their children complain about the heat of skin, sore skin, sore eyes or teeth feel very clean after swimming. Two of the complaints of the chlorine and pH are shown in the swimming pool was too high.

If eye irritation can be reduced by wearing swimming goggles, the complaint and color sensitive teeth damaged by water swimming pools must be performed by a dentist to do veneers (coat) with porcelain teeth.

The important thing to consider in keeping a swimming pool is to maintain the pH value correctly, do the cleaning or filter on a regular basis, ensuring the water remains berajaln circulation as well as keeping the threshold value of chlorine and other organic materials.

As for how to prevent contracting the disease from swimming pools can be done:

1. Rinse away with water and antiseptic soap before and after swimming
2. Do not swim if you have diarrhea or gastrointestinal tract infection several days earlier
3. Using a tight swimsuit that do not stick on a loose body
4. Always try to urinate in the toilet
5. Make a habit of washing hands with running water and soap.