There is a chill in the air with Brisbane temperatures dropped down to 12 degrees starting this week. It is already snowing in Tasmania and residents of southern states are scrambling to make plans to visit north praying for the borders to stay open.
Your teeth need additional care during the winter. As the temperatures dip, your teeth could become susceptible to a wide variety of problems, including cracks and tooth sensitivity. Below are five steps you can follow to protect your teeth this winter.
Schedule a Winter Appointment
Winter can cause havoc on your teeth, especially if you are not prepared. The first prevention is to book an appointment with your dentist. Cold weather causes your teeth to expand, which can lead to the development of small cracks in the enamel. If the cracks are not repaired quickly, they could expand and cause significant damage to your enamel.
Change Your Brushing Pattern in Winter
Winter is hard on sensitive teeth. If you suffer from sensitive teeth, you should change the way you brush your teeth. Firstly, invest in an electric toothbrush or switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect your delicate enamel. Secondly, switch to a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. Thirdly, brush your teeth twice a day to remove cavity causing plaque. Do not brush your teeth immediately after a meal. Wait for a few minutes because you can avoid damaging your enamel.
Pay Attention to Your Gums
Winter means the cold and flu season. While covid-19 has prepared us with exceptionally good hygiene practices, people can still get flu during the winter season. The germs that can make you sick each winter are the same ones that can lead to gum infections. This is particularly true if your gums are already susceptible to gum disease.
During winter, you need to pay close attention to your gums. First, watch for signs of redness and inflammation. Second, keep your hands and fingers away from your mouth. Third, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash at least twice a day.
Keep Your Neck and Face Warm
We cover ourselves with thick clothes but forget to protect our face and neck. Get into the habit of wearing a winter scarf when going outside. Winter scarves not only keep your neck warm, but they also protect your teeth and jaw. When your neck and face are exposed to the cold weather, your gums, teeth, and jawbone will bear the consequences. If you typically breathe through your mouth, a heavy scarf can also protect your throat from winter chills.
Drink More Water
We often drink hot fluids during winter. If you start drinking coffee, tea, or cocoa instead of water, you will be causing harm to your teeth. Cutting down water can make you dehydrated which in turn causes your mouth to stop producing saliva. Lack of saliva creates a perfect environment for bacteria growth. In addition, the sugar in beverages encourages tooth decay. To protect your teeth, drink plenty of plain water during winter.
Also keep a watch for the common symptoms and how you can keep on top of them.
Cold Sores
Practice extreme hygiene such as washing hands and stop touching your mouth. Also, if you sense a cold sore coming, apply a topical treatment to the area to stop the infection in its tracks.
Chapped Lips
Keep lips moisturised with a lip balm containing SPF several times a day.
Dry Mouth
Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water and keeping a humidifier in your bedroom to increase moisture in the air while you sleep.
Acid Wear
This is common due to high consumption of Vitamin C through citrus fruits. Rinse your mouth and practice oral care to prevent acid damage to your teeth and enamel.
Follow these steps to keep your oral health in the best condition possible during this winter.
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Great post!
From my experience, I can say that try to continue to drink a lot of water (fluoridated is the awesome!) the cold weather months. The water will help wash away food particles and lessen the presence of microorganisms in your mouth.