Fall and winter bring colder weather, which can mean trouble for your teeth. Find out how cold hurts teeth and what to do about it:
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is caused by exposed dentin, which makes teeth more vulnerable to pain. Cold air and hot drinks aggravate tender teeth.
Try This: When you’re outside, breathe through your nose and out through your mouth. Your lips, tongue, and cheeks will keep your teeth insulated. If you’re craving a hot beverage, enjoy it through a straw to minimize tooth contact. Call your dentist if your sensitivity continues.
Dry Mouth
Winter is the season of colds, which can cause a stuffy nose. This forces you to breathe through your mouth, and excessive mouth breathing creates a dry mouth. A dry mouth can increase your chance of developing dental decay and other mouth infections.
Try This: Drink water regularly and chew sugarless gum to keep your mouth moist. You should also try limiting your caffeine intake. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, causing the body to lose water and contributing to dry mouth. If you experience dry mouth year-round, make an appointment with your dentist.
Lack of Vitamin D
Extreme temperatures can keep us stuck inside. With less outdoor time, you’re decreasing your daily dose of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in keeping your teeth and bones healthy. Exposure to sunlight enables the body to produce vitamin D.
Try This: If the winter weather is hindering your intake of vitamin D, try snacking on fortified cereals and fatty fish. Milk containing vitamin D is also a good source, and the calcium benefits your teeth too.
Take care of your teeth in the colder weather to prevent or reduce tooth pain.