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As the temperatures begin to drop this time of year, you may be wondering what you can do to combat many of the most common oral health problems. Dry mouth, chapped lips, and sensitive teeth in winter are not uncommon but can result in more serious issues for your teeth and gums if you’re not careful. To help minimize your risk, here are three tips you can use to safeguard your smile while staying warm throughout the winter months.

Drink Water Even If You’re Cold

You may be tempted to avoid cold drinking water when it’s 20 degrees outside, but no matter if you’re indoors or outdoors, make sure you’re consuming enough of this hydrating beverage. Dry mouth is common during the winter, especially if you’re suffering from the cold or flu. Medications designed to combat these illnesses often result in a reduction of saliva. And because you’re likely breathing through your mouth more, bad bacteria can develop and cause tooth decay and infections.

By incorporating more water into your day, you can flush out harmful toxins and keep your salivary glands working at an optimal level, which means no more dry mouth! You’ll also be pleased to learn that drinking more water (and using an SFP lip balm) can also reduce your chances of dry, chapped lips.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste to Brush Your Teeth

Fluoride is a natural mineral designed to strengthen tooth enamel and combat decay. If you begin to notice greater sensitivity in your teeth when breathing in the frigid air, it may be that your enamel is thinner, causing the dentin layer to be exposed. Apart from being more mindful to breathe through your nose while outside, you should also use fluoride toothpaste when brushing your teeth. This will help to better protect your smile year-round. However, because it does not work overnight, you’ll need to use a straw if you want to consume anything hot or cold, as this will limit the exposure between your teeth and anything drastically different in temperature.

Bundle Up to Help Relax Your Jaw

This particular tip might seem odd, but the truth is when you get cold, you likely tense up. Your jaw and other bodily joints and muscles tend to have a stress-like reaction to drastic temperatures, which can cause chronic jaw pain to develop. If you suffer from inflammation in your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), this time of year can be brutal. However, if you bundle up with a hat, scarf, gloves, and coat when venturing outside, you can reduce your pain and avoid clenching your teeth and facial joints.

Winter can be a fun and enjoyable time that offers many exciting outdoor activities. Just be mindful of how you’re taking care of your smile while battling the cold so you can spend more time making memories with family and friends.

About the Author
Dr. Rina Singh is a family dentist based in Camp Hill who strives to provide all patients with helpful tips and tricks to avoid tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease year-round. Encouraging residents to pursue preventive treatment to combat oral health issues, she and her team are readily available to answer questions and address concerns that arise, especially during the cold winter months. If you are struggling with chapped lips or increased sensitivity this time of year, contact us at (717) 937-8180 or visit our website.