Winter is a time for snow, making snowmen, and drinking hot cocoa. It’s a great time to cozy up on the couch under a big blanket and watch your favorite movie or tv show. But it’s also a time for chapped lips, tooth sensitivity, and dry mouth. Before you rush to buy any over-the-counter products, consider what you should be mindful of and how you can combat these winter mouth issues without hindering your oral health.
Creating a Winter-Ready Smile
Chapped lips, tooth sensitivity, and dry mouth all come with the territory when faced with cold weather. The moment you step outside, you breathe in the air and immediately reach for your Chapstick. Or you may discover that the second that cold air reaches your teeth, you cringe in pain because of the intense sensitivity you feel.
No matter the reaction you experience during cold winter months, there are steps you can take to prepare your mouth for this time of year, some of which include:
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. A dry mouth is a haven for bad oral bacteria. Without proper saliva production, it gives way to harmful acids that form and eat away at tooth enamel. Consuming ample amounts of water, though, will not only flush out debris inside the mouth but encourage salivary glands to go to work.
- Keeping lips moist using petroleum jelly. You can also add a humidifier to your room, turning it on while you sleep. This will help to add moisture to the area so that your lips don’t dry out.
- Use a desensitizing toothpaste to minimize the potential for tooth sensitivity. When cold temperatures reach your teeth, it can cause intense pain and if it happens regularly, your teeth can become damaged as a result of the expanding and contracting.
How a Dentist Can Help
Even if you’re adhering to the tips listed above, you still need to make sure that you continue seeing your dentist regularly for dental checkups and cleanings. Without these six-month visits, you put your smile at risk for serious issues that can develop at any point throughout the year. Also, your dentist believes in the importance of patient education, which is why you will always receive helpful tips, tricks, and recommendations to keep your teeth and gums better protected, especially during the wintertime.
Whether it is buying a specific toothpaste, undergoing additional fluoride protection, or recommending a particular product to ensure greater hydration, your dentist is your ally in the pursuit of better oral health.About the McCarl Dental Group
The McCarl Dental Group consists of four dental experts who are committed to helping patients living in Millersville, Greenbelt, and the surrounding areas achieve their smile goals. Providing exceptional preventive dentistry services to stop oral health problems before they start, our team is here to minimize and eliminate signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other common dental issues. We’re also available to provide tips and recommendations to help individuals combat winter colds and sore throats. If you’re looking for a trusted dental group near you, call our dental office today.