As the wintry weather rolls in, some particular oral health problems return each year. Struggles with sensitive teeth, dry mouth, and chapped lips elevate.
You don’t have to be one of the many to endure these troubles. Read on for some tips from your dentist about combating winter mouth issues in Greenfield.
Tip 1: Switch to Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
If drinking hot cocoa or apple cider brings about sharp, short-duration pain in your teeth, you may have sensitive teeth. When your tooth enamel is weakened and breaks down, the layer below it – dentin – gets exposed to foods and beverages to cause discomfort. Cold temperatures can also be troublesome in this case. Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth protects exposed dentinal tubules from harm and makes ingesting items with hot or cold temperatures a more comfortable experience.
Tip 2: Drink Water Frequently
This is a good tip year-round, but especially in the winter. When you have an insufficient amount of saliva, it results in what is commonly referred to as “dry mouth.” From taking certain types of medication to medical treatments like chemotherapy to smoking, there are a lot of causes of dry mouth. Dry winter air can exacerbate this issue, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of water throughout the day. It will also help hydrate your skin and prevent chapped lips.
Tip 3: Apply Lip Balm Frequently
The skin on your lips is delicate and chaps easily, making it very susceptible to cold, dry air. Using a lip balm with SPF is important to protect your lips from the sun, even in the winter, and keep them moisturized.
Tip 4: Keep Warm
Here’s one that you would hopefully be attempting to do without a suggestion. When you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, wearing warm clothing can help control jaw pain, since your joints and muscles tense up in chilly weather. Simply staying warm helps reduce any clenching or tightening in the jaw area.
Tip 5: Utilize a Humidifier
With less humidity in the air during the winter months, your skin is more prone to drying out and becoming cracked. Using a humidifier in your home adds extra moisture in the air to help keep your skin and lips healthy.
The winter season has its benefits, and a lot of people love the chilly weather. But just like in the summer, it’s important to make smart decisions in the other extreme season so you aren’t struggling with chapped lips and the other issues discussed here. These tips can help you set those problems aside and focus on the things you do enjoy about colder weather.
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Treatment Center, we’re focused on providing great oral healthcare from every possible angle, emphasizing comfort, customer service, clinical expertise, outstanding technology, and more. We offer an array of amenities to make your visit more enjoyable, such as massage chairs, warm blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and paraffin wax hand treatments, just to name a few. With an average daily high temperature of 29 degrees in Greenfield each January – our coldest month – we know a thing or two around here about how to deal with cold weather. No matter how used to the frigid conditions you are, however, it’s important to protect yourself. By utilizing these tips, you safeguard yourself from sensitive teeth in Greenfield and other winter mouth issues. Whether you need an emergency dentist, a dental cleaning and exam, or something else regarding your oral health, we look forward to helping you. Schedule an appointment on our website or call (414) 209-7463.