Winter is here! And it brings with it harsh weather, sore throats, dry skin, and an increased craving for chocolates. But winter problems aren't limited to these. Cold weather also threatens oral hygiene and can cause various oral health problems like tooth sensitivity, chapped lips, cold sores, and cavities. People experience more tooth pain and sensitivity during the colder months due to increased consumption of hot beverages and sugary foods and clenching of jaws in lower temperatures.
We have prepared a guide for you to manage your dental care in winter/ hygiene well throughout the cold this winter season.
Tooth sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is a sensation of pain and discomfort in the teeth due to cold or hot stimuli. In the winter season, people are more susceptible to tooth sensitivity due to cold weather. Tooth sensitivity in winters is common and can quickly be taken care of with these simple steps:
- Avoid brushing vigorously or using a brush with stiff bristles as it can strip your teeth of protective enamel, which causes sensitivity.
- Follow the TTF method to maintain good oral hygiene: Toothbrush, Toothpaste, and Floss every day.
- If you experience mild tooth sensitivity, you can try toothpaste meant specially for sensitive teeth or try an alcohol-free mouthwash.
It could take a few weeks for it to show improvement. If the pain is unbearable, please visit an experienced dentist to get your teeth and gums checked at the earliest.
Tooth pain
Tooth pain is one of the most uncomfortable pains one can experience. It worsens in the winter due to the consumption of hot beverages and sugar cravings. The experience of the pain is magnified due to the cold temperature. On top of that, tooth pain is often accompanied by headaches and causes extreme discomfort. It thus requires quick and easy remedies to get rid of the inflammation, pain, and other symptoms.
To relieve toothache, understanding the root cause can be helpful. Once diagnosed, one can choose the most suitable remedy. Minor pain can often be cured by simple home remedies like salt water rinse, cold compress on the painful area, garlic paste application, clove oil, etc. While more severe and chronic toothaches require immediate dentist intervention and medication.
Bad breath
We're more susceptible to developing bad breath in winters due to dehydration.
Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, is an unpleasant odor in exhaled breath that affects 1 in 4 people globally. It usually occurs without any underlying diseases, primarily due to poor dental hygiene and dehydration; nevertheless, it is unattractive and can lead to more severe dental issues. So it is crucial to stay hydrated, brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and maintain an overall healthy dental routine to avoid bad breath.
Please be on a constant lookout for symptoms like bleeding gums, toothache, painful swallowing, etc. If you experience any of these symptoms along with bad breath, consult your nearest dentist for a check-up immediately.
Chapped lips and cold sores
Chapped lips and cold sores are the most common ailments of the winter season. And the easiest and most effective way to deal with both is by staying hydrated. Dehydration causes bad breath, chapped lips, cold sores and also leads to other health problems. So it is essential to drink at least 2 liters of water every day to flush out all the toxins and bacteria from the mouth and maintain overall oral hygiene. You can also add leafy green vegetables, fruits, and dairy products to your diet to keep your teeth and gums healthier and strong.
Since sun exposure usually increases during the winters, please ensure that you wear a lip balm or petroleum jelly on your lips and cover them in at least SPF 30 to prevent any chances of oral cancer.
To avoid cold sores, please make sure that you don't touch your mouth with your hands very often. Topical treatments are a great way to stop the infection and treat cold sores as soon as they develop. But if they cause any problems or get serious, please visit your nearest dentist at the earliest.
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