Dentist issues alert over 'swimmer's calculus'

With the UK basking in high temperatures, beachgoers and holidaymakers continue to don their swimwear for a cooling dip in the pool or sea. However, experts are highlighting that your summer swims might be impacting your hair and teeth. Longevita Dental's Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, warned frequent swimmers about a condition known as 'swimmer's calculus'.

It's caused by chlorine-induced tartar buildup on teeth and can lead to brown or yellow-stained teeth due to chlorine reacting with saliva, causing hard-to-remove mineral deposits. The dentist explained: "Frequent swimmers need to be aware of chlorine-induced buildup of tartar on the teeth, also known as swimmer's calculus. This isn't something you need to worry about if you're spending about an hour in the pool every day. However, if you're someone who swims for 3 to 4 hours every day, this could become a problem."

Preventative measures Dr Seymenoglu recommended include rinsing your mouth out with regular water upon exiting the pool, but she cautions against immediate brushing.

She said: "You definitely should not brush your teeth immediately afterwards because your teeth will be coated in chlorine. Make sure to rinse first and then wait about 30 minutes before brushing."

Heading to the seaside might seem like a good alternative to the swimming pool, but Dr Abdulaziz Balwi, the lead doctor at Elithair Clinic, warned about the potential damage to your hair from doing that.

Dr Balwi cautioned: "Seawater contains a high concentration of salt, which can negatively impact hair health in several ways. It strips moisture from both the hair shaft and scalp, leading to dryness, brittleness, and irritation.

"While seawater doesn't directly cause hair loss, frequent exposure can disrupt the scalp's natural balance and lead to dryness and brittleness of the hair shaft.

"This can result in increased hair breakage and, if scalp irritation is significant, may contribute to temporary shedding. These effects are more pronounced if consistent hair and scalp care is not maintained."

For those already struggling with thinning hair, a dip in the ocean could exacerbate the issue and also leave the scalp more prone to inflammation, potentially aggravating conditions such as dandruff and folliculitis.

However, Dr Balwi shared some hope as these effects can be mitigated with some protective steps. These include rinsing your scalp with fresh water immediately after coming out of the sea.

Rehydrating your hair and scalp can be aided with products containing aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, or argan oil. For those who already have dry hair, the expert suggests using a hydrating hair mask or conditioner before taking a dip in the sea.

Wearing a swimming cap can also lessen the impact of salt water on your hair by offering a physical barrier.

If you're regularly venturing into the sea, it might be beneficial to invest in a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo to use once or twice weekly to eliminate any residue build-up on the scalp.