As you prepare to leave your house for work, you bundle up. After all, winter is now hitting hard now! You have a thick coat, gloves for your hands, a scarf for your neck, and a hat for your head. But as you open the door and step outside, you realize that there’s one area that you still need help with—your mouth! Read on to learn the problems you can face and what to do about winter mouth issues.
Problem: Dry Mouth
Often, during the colder months of the year, stuffy or runny noses become more common. As a result, you may find yourself breathing through your mouth. This small change, however, can negatively impact your oral health by drying out the mouth. In an environment like this, harmful bacteria thrive and lead to problems like gum disease and tooth decay.
Solution: Stay Hydrated
You may not be able to prevent getting a cold this winter, but you can keep your mouth properly moistened by drinking a lot of water throughout the day. You may not sweat as much or feel as thirsty as you do during warmer times, you still need to make sure you bring in enough water. Little sips can help rinse bacteria out of your mouth.
Problem: Tooth Sensitivity
Your teeth are surrounded by a thin layer of enamel, which is the strongest material in your body, but this enamel can be worn down. When the sensitive inner layers of the tooth are exposed, or gums recede, you can experience discomfort if your teeth feel cold or hot.
Normally, you may only experience tooth sensitivity when you drink a hot cup of coffee or have ice cream. But, as explained above, mouth breathing occurs more frequently in the winter time, allowing the extreme cold to come into contact with your teeth any time you’re outside.
Solution: Use Fluoride
Using toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride in them can help reinforce your natural enamel, giving your teeth more protection against the cold. Be sure to brush at least twice every day for two minutes at a time for the maximum effect. Also, if your area has fluoridated water, make sure you drink it. This little extra bit of this mineral can make a big difference to reduce tooth-related discomfort.
Also, do your best to continue breathing through your nose. The air by-passes your teeth completely, meaning that you won’t have to worry about your teeth reacting to the cold.
Problem: Chapped Lips
With bitterly cold wind and frigid temperatures, the sensitive skin on your lips can become dry and chapped. At first glance, this may not seem like a serious problem, except that any time you open your mouth or smile, you can experience pain from your lips.
Solution: Keep Lips Hydrated
Although you certainly can and should apply lip balm to your lips, the amount of water you’re drinking daily can also have a huge influence on your lips’ moisture. Also, try to breathe through your nose so that your lips are less exposed to moving cold and hot air.
While the weather outside may be frightful, you can make sure your mouth stays healthy. By following these tips, you can smile no matter what Mother Nature hurls your way.
About the Practice
Williamsburg Dental proudly serves individuals and families throughout Lincoln. With six locations, you’re bound to find one of our offices close to home. Our dentists may come from different backgrounds, but all of them are dedicated to helping you smile with confidence, regardless of the weather conditions. If you would like to schedule an appointment at one of the Williamsburg Dental locations, you can click here to choose which office you’d like to visit.