When the weather starts turning colder, most of us bother about our skin care, body, and clothing essentials, while keeping our oral health away from this list. Dental care is mostly avoided as many are unaware that it can suffer significantly during this seasonal change. This negligence is the reason why problems such as severe sensitivity, enamel cracking, and unexplained pain become more common in winter.
People often experience these issues due to different thermal states outdoors and indoors. The chances of oral issues are more probable if someone has recently undergone treatments such as dental implants, crowning, veneers for teeth or others.
Fortunately, these problems are preventable, and we have given you a complete guide on taking precautionary measures and keeping your teeth and gums strong every season.
A brief on How temperature impacts our teeth
Many studies, including one from the NIH (National Library of Medicine), have discussed how, after a long colder climate exposure, when someone switches to warmer temperatures, he is likely to develop dental pain or low-grade neurogenic inflammation. It has been found that this condition differs from dentin hypersensitivity and other dental pains and must be prevented and treated differently.
Let’s now move towards preventative measures for this seasonal dental issue.
Preventing Dental Issues in Winter: 5 Care Tips
Mindful Eating
As Winter arrives, it brings several previous festivals, starting with Halloween and Thanksgiving to Christmas and New Year. All these special occasions are opportunities to consume more candies, sweets, and other sugary products. Already being sensitive due to colder climates, teeth are likely to develop cavities, infection, and other painful sufferings easily. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious of sugar consumption limits to prevent the development of these dental issues.
Moreover, many people stop drinking enough water in colder seasons and rather switch to more hot drinks such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and others. These warm beverages are soothing but not healthy for your oral health soundness. It is advised to keep your gums and teeth hydrated for oral wellness.
Switch Your Dental Care Routine
Winters increase tooth sensitivity, and you must turn to a soft-bristled brush that gently removes the bacteria and plaque from your mouth. Additionally, start using a sensitivity-control toothpaste for better results. You can consult our dentists for the best toothpaste recommendations.
Avoid overbrushing and stick to a timeframe of 2 minutes twice a day, along with maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine, such as once-a-day flossing and mouthwash usage.
Dental checkups
As the likelihood of dental problems rises significantly, dental clinical visits simultaneously become more vital. Colder temperatures may develop minor cracks in your teeth’ enamel, which will grow more severe if remain undetected and untreated. Regularly get your dental health checked and get the minor issues fixed & repaired before they become intense.
Protect Your Mouth
Most of us have been taught from a younger age to avoid taking hot and cold beverages simultaneously, and the reason is “thermal stress”. Different temperature levels influence how our teeth behave in terms of expansion and contraction. A sudden change in thermal conditions can be a great reason for dental pain, especially for people who already have sensitive teeth.
Therefore, when you go outside in a freezing environment, try to cover your mouth with a woolen scarf or anything else.
Besides, while playing winter sports, never overlook the use of a mouth guard. This will eliminate the chances of injury or cracks in your teeth.
An Attention to The Gums
The change in weather comes with several viral flues & infections, and your dental health is no exception. The bacterial infections may develop inflammation or redness in your gums, causing pain and discomfort. It is essential to keep a check on these signs and book a dental consultation. To prevent these issues before their occurrence, make sure you use antibacterial mouthwash twice a day, keep your dirty hands away from your mouth, and consume hygienic foods.
Wrapping Up
While feeling the excitement of the cold season, do not forget to keep up with the well-being of your dental condition. Just by following a few seasonal changes and understanding the impacts of winter on your oral health, you can stay stress-free about your dental health deterioration.
If you need further assistance, feel free to consult our professionals at Cosmetique Dental for a customized winter oral care routine.
