Winter is one of the most wonderful times of the year, and there are a lot of ways to enjoy it to the fullest. Ice skating, hot cocoa, sledding, the list goes on. But there are also quite a few hazards to your oral health that can make it hard to do the things people love the most about the winter season. Here are a few things you can do to prevent some of the most common winter mouth issues.
Switch To Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste
Enamel is one of the most precious resources in the body—it’s critical to protecting your teeth from the outside air, and it can’t be rebuilt once it erodes. However, it’s also incredibly easy to have that enamel get thinner, which can expose the more sensitive parts of the tooth underneath. This can cause a sensitivity to heat and cold, which can be particularly bothersome during the winter months.
If you have sensitive teeth, you might benefit from switching to a toothpaste designed to treat sensitivity. That way, you can enjoy hot cocoa to your heart’s content.
Stay Hydrated
Dry winter air can pull the moisture out of your mouth, which hampers its ability to produce saliva. While you might not consider it to be that important, your saliva is integral to your mouth’s natural cleaning process. Without it, food will just sit in your mouth, unable to be broken down or carried away. That food feeds bacteria that contribute to both gum disease and tooth decay.
If you’re spending a lot of time outside, it would be a good idea to carry water with you. That way, you can stay hydrated and keep your saliva production up.
Grab Some Lip Balm
In the same vein, dry air can lead to chapped, painful lips. Staying hydrated can help, but your lips are still some of the thinnest skin anywhere on the body, so it’s worth giving them a little bit of extra protection. Next time you’re out, grab some lip balm with SPF protection. That’ll keep your lips nice and smooth all winter.
If you can keep these tips in mind, you should be able to protect your oral health despite the winter weather. That’ll help you enjoy the season to the fullest.
About Our Practice
At Cross Creek Dental Care, we pride ourselves on being able to address nearly any issue you might be having. We do this by getting to know our patients personally so that we can address their specific needs. We also make use of the latest and greatest in dental technology, so our patients can be sure that they’re getting the best that dentistry has to offer.
If you have any questions about taking care of your oral health when the weather gets cold, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (740) 392-6156.