Protecting Your Family’s Teeth This Winter: Seasonal Tips for Oral Health 

Braving the cold this winter can be miserable but also detrimental to your oral health. Cold, dry air affects your teeth and gums, which may have lasting effects. Protecting your family’s smiles during the winter is crucial. We’ve put together some seasonal tips for oral health to keep in mind this winter. 

Protect Your Mouth from the Cold 

Cold temperatures don’t just affect your skin; they affect your teeth and gums. Breathing in cold air through your mouth can aggravate sensitive teeth and cause chapped lips and cold sores. To protect your mouth: 

• Breathe through your nose when outside to avoid exposing your teeth to frigid air. 

• Wear a scarf around your mouth and nose so that the air is a bit warmer by the time it reaches your nose and mouth. 

• Wear a mouthguard any time you participate in outdoor sports. It protects your teeth from injury and shields them from cold air. 

Switch Toothpaste 

Teeth sensitivity is often an issue during the winter because we are more prone to eating foods that trigger sensitivity, particularly hot and spicy foods and beverages. Combine that with breathing colder air; these frequent fluctuations can trigger tooth sensitivity due to the expansion and contraction of dental enamel and dentin.  

Switching to a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth will minimize the sharp, sudden pain of sensitive teeth by blocking pain signals from the tooth to the nerve. For greatest effectiveness, use a soft-bristle brush and brush twice daily. 

Give Your Gums Some Love 

The same germs that cause colds and the flu can lead to gum infections. If you are already prone to gingivitis, the cold temperatures and exposure to friends and family who are coughing and sneezing can dramatically increase the risk of gum infections. Be vigilant about checking for redness, puffiness, and bleeding gums when you brush or floss. Use an antibiotic mouthwash every day, and avoid putting your fingers in your mouth to prevent introducing more germs. 

Moisturize Your Lips 

Chapped lips lead to cold sore flare-ups and canker sores. Canker sores inside the mouth and cold sores (sometimes called fever blisters) on the lips and corners of the mouth can be painful and difficult to get rid of. They thrive when the lips are dry and cracked, so use plenty of moisturizing lip balm. Avoiding hot and spicy foods can help heal them, as well as over-the-counter cold sore remedies. 

See Your Dentist 

Your teeth expand and contract during the winter as you move from your heated home to the cold outdoors. This can lead to tiny cracks in the surface of your teeth, leading to sensitivity. Eventually, these cracks may reach the dentin or cause damage that needs to be corrected. A dental checkup during the winter will allow us to assess any damage and, if necessary, address any problems. Just call Tonka Smiles at Tonka Smiles Phone Number 952-938-8533 to schedule your appointment.