How to Deal With Winter Weather Dental Problems

The winter weather season is well underway, and it can mean problems for your oral health. While you may spend a lot of time playing in the snow or spending time outside in freezing winds, you may begin to notice some issues in your mouth. The following are some tips to help you cope with your winter oral health problems:

Do Not Breathe Through Your Mouth

When you are outside in cold air, try to always breathe through your nose rather than through your mouth as much as possible. The cold air is not good for those who have sensitive teeth. Just like you feel a sharp pain when you drink a cold drink or eat ice cream, the same thing can happen when you breathe in really cold air.

Even if you do not have sensitive teeth, you should still try to avoid breathing in cold air through your mouth. Cold temperature can cause the enamel on your teeth to contract. If you suddenly introduce something warm into your mouth after it has been exposed to prolonged cold air, the tooth enamel can expand quickly and become prone to breakage. For instance, if you come inside and drink a hot cup of cocoa after a day of skiing and your mouth was open, you could risk breaking your teeth more easily because your enamel is weaker than usual.

Try Not to Clench Your Jaw

When it is cold, you may tend to clench your jaw due to the sudden jolt of cold weather. Doing so can cause pain in your jaw. You could also break a tooth if you are biting down hard during jaw clenching. Gritting your teeth while you clench your jaw can also result in tooth erosion with can lead to decay and tooth loss.

Use Sensitive Tooth Toothpaste

If you normally do not have tooth pain but are experiencing pain during the cold weather, switch to a sensitive formula toothpaste. Using this toothpaste can help alleviate any pain you have during the cold weather months.

If you experience tooth issues during the winter, be sure to see your family dentist. They'll make sure you do not have any underlying issues that may exacerbate your pain. He or she can identify what is causing the problems you have and help you come up with some good practices to help alleviate your oral problems during the winter season.  

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