ORAL HEALTH AND SPEARFISHING 

THE SHOCKING SNORKEL CLEANING

Everyone knows that it is very important to always wash one’s spearfishing gear after diving. Most Generally spearos just do it to avoid the damages caused by the corrosive sea water, that according to an old local saying "eats everything".  In particular, everyone (especially those who use wetsuits with no urine expulsion system) definitely wash or at least rinse the suit at home. What is done instead for our snorkels and masks?

Probably many divers are convinced that a quick rinse under the tap, is sufficient for cleaning both the mask and the snorkel, as in the end they are two pieces of equipment both subjected to frequent water passage (although it is sea water), what could ever happen then?

Well, you should know that the mixture of saliva and sea water stagnating inside the snorkel tends to form on its inner surfaces a light layer of a brown/yellow substance full of germs and bacteria that is the main cause of dental diseases.

The research on the internet of "dental disease" and "spearfishing" always provides as results as the most common phenomena related to the tooth-enamel damages, mandibular posture and trauma resulting from micro air bubbles present in bad tooth fillings (odontobaropatie). However everyone should also know about gingival recession for example (the gums lower and leave uncovered the tooth root) and other diseases that are caused by a poor hygiene of the snorkel.

In the video below you can see what a snorkel, left unused for one season only, hides when you pour in boiling water. I ensure you however that even in those used without interruptions you can find some surprises.

If your snorkel looks like this, don’t worry, just rinse it carefully with warm water and keep it soaked in water and baking soda (or antiseptic) to disinfect it.