Winter Dental Care Tips

One thing we know about winter is that it causes a lot of dryness. Not only does cold weather affect our skin, but it also affects our lips. Chapped lips are a very common affliction in the winter and if you are looking to avoid cracked lips, you want to make sure you buy a really good lip balm that has SPF. If you are diligent about applying your lip balm on a daily basis, this will really help to protect your lips. Drinking water is another way to make sure that your body stays hydrated, which will also help to keep your lips moisturized.

Another thing you need to stay on top of during the winter is your daily oral health routine. We all know that with the holidays comes a lot of delicious foods, and many of those foods are sweets. Although it is okay to indulge in a tasty treat every once in a while, you need to make sure that you are brushing afterward and getting the sugar out of your mouth. Cavities are very common during the winter months, so you need to take extra care of your mouth. If you are unable to brush your teeth right after a sweet treat, at least drink some water to try and rinse the sugar out of your mouth.  

Although most of us have gotten really good about hand washing this year, we want to make sure to take some extra time during these winter months to keep our hands clean. Cold sores tend to flare up during the winter months, and cold temperatures can make them even more painful. Having clean hands is a great way to try and avoid cold sores, and keeping your hands clean is also a way to avoid getting sick.  

You may want to buy a new toothbrush for the winter and if you do so, it is a great idea to buy one with soft bristles. Tooth sensitivity is very common during the winter months, so you may want to use a softer toothbrush and brush more softly. You may also want to consider buying a toothpaste that is specifically for sensitive teeth, as this will greatly reduce tooth sensitivity during these cold winter months.  

Since we know that tooth sensitivity can be a problem during the winter, another tip to help combat this is to breathe through your nose when you are outside or wear a scarf so it covers your mouth. Breathing through your nose stops the cold air from hitting your teeth, which can reduce your chance of having sensitive teeth.  

A final dental tip for this winter is to schedule an appointment with your dentist for your checkup. By having your routine cleanings, it allows your dentist a chance to catch any dental issue before it becomes a big problem.