Erosive Potential of Low Ph Swimming Pool Water on Dental Enamel

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate enamel erosion due to immersion in low pH swimming pool water. Tooth enamel specimens were immersed in low pH swimming pool water for a 4 h period. Enamel loss was measured by using a focusing method of a measuring microscope and Vickers microhardness of enamel was measured with a microhardness tester. After immersion for 4 h, pool water with pH of 3.85 and titratable acidity of 1.4 ml of 0.1 N NaOH eroded 5.1 μm of enamel and resulted in hardness value of enamel decreased by 23.2%, whereas pool water with pH of 2.91 and titratable acidity of 9.5 ml of 0.1 N NaOH eroded 31.3 μm of enamel and resulted in hardness value of enamel decreased by 19.3%. This in vitro study supports the clinical reports on swimmer’s dental erosion that the public should be warned of.