How Can I Avoid Having Winter Mouth Issues?

You are probably well aware of how important it is to stay hydrated during the sweltering summer months, but even if you head to the opposite end of the seasonal spectrum the importance of drinking water doesn’t change.

On that note, there are several actions you need to take in order to avoid winter mouth issues in Fanwood. Keep reading to learn some simple tips from your dentist that will allow you to enjoy the snowy time of year without giving your oral health the cold shoulder.

Tip 1: Wear Lip Balm

The skin on your lips is delicate and chaps easily, making it very susceptible to cold, dry air. Using a lip balm with SPF is important to protect your lips from the sun, even in the winter, and keep them moisturized.

Tip 2: Use a Humidifier

With less humidity in the air during the winter months, your skin is more prone to drying out and becoming cracked. Using a humidifier in your home adds extra moisture in the air to help keep your skin and lips healthy.

Tip 3: Use the Appropriate Toothpaste

If drinking hot cocoa or apple cider brings about sharp, short-duration pain in your teeth, you may have sensitive teeth. When your tooth enamel is weakened and breaks down, the layer below it – dentin – gets exposed to foods and beverages to cause discomfort. Cold temperatures can also be troublesome in this case. Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth in Fanwood protects exposed dentinal tubules from harm and makes ingesting items with hot or cold temperatures a more comfortable experience.

Tip 4: Stay Warm

When you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, wearing warm clothing can help control jaw pain, since your joints and muscles tense up in chilly weather. Simply staying warm helps reduce any clenching or tightening in the jaw area.

Tip 5: Drink Water Often 

You’ve been looking for this one since the introduction. When you have an insufficient amount of saliva, it results in what is commonly referred to as “dry mouth.” From taking certain types of medication to medical treatments like chemotherapy to smoking, there are a lot of causes of dry mouth. Dry winter air can exacerbate this issue, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of water throughout the day. It will also help hydrate your skin and prevent chapped lips.

Whether you are into ice skating, building a snowman, or just going for a long walk in January, you don’t want to let your oral health suffer when a few easy-to-follow steps could keep your personal winter wonderland going strong! Part of your winter oral care regimen should include a visit to your dentist in Fanwood for a checkup.

About the Practice

At Scotch Plains Fanwood Dental Care, the only thing more important to us than the teeth we clean is how our patients feel about the care they receive. When you entrust us with your oral health, expect high-quality dental work in a relaxing atmosphere. The first step is for us to find out what you want from your dental visit so we can customize a plan to suit your needs. We know a thing or two about the chill of winter weather in Fanwood, as the average high and low temperatures in January are 39 and 24 degrees, respectively. It’s important for our patients to make smart moves when out in the elements and even indoors, as this blog post touched on. During your next dental cleaning and exam, we can check to make sure the winter conditions aren’t hindering your smile goals. To make an appointment, visit our website or call (908) 322-3222.