Winter is an excellent time to enjoy a hot steaming cup of tea, coffee, or any other beverage and wrap yourself in your best warm clothes to live the winter season. But, this winter season with its low temperatures, chilly winds, and dry air can have a negative impact on your skin. Along with these, it can also make you prone to develop a number of dental problems that are very common.
The best way to overcome these problems is by following proper dental hygiene as well as having sound knowledge about these dental health issues that can arise in the cold season. Practicing these measures along with the best dental services will ensure that your mouth remains healthy throughout the year and especially during the winter season.
Below are some of the dental problems and tips for the coming winter months that can ensure a warm and healthy smile.
Dry Mouth
As the moisture is less in the air during the winter season, the mouth produces a lesser amount of saliva which may make your mouth feel dry. According to the best dentist in Houston TX, in case you are already suffering from the issue of having a dry mouth, it can get aggravated by the dryness of winter.
The best way to avoid this is by keeping the mouth hydrated by drinking a lot of water. Experts at Smilebest dental Houston say- This will help in keeping the mouth hydrated as well as make the mouth produce saliva as well as prevent the formation of bacteria by washing away particles of food which can be a cause for tooth decay. A humidifier can also be kept in the house for increasing the air’s moisture.
Chapped Lips
As you enjoy all the winter outdoor activities’ exposure of the mouth to cold, sun, and wind can make your lips dry and cracked.
Cracked and dry lips can be soothed with the application of petroleum jelly and lips can be protected from more damage with the help of a lip balm that contains sunscreen.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are small blisters that are caused formed because of a virus attack around your lips and mouth. But they can also be triggered by cold and fever or cold weather.
The breaking out of these cold sores during the winter season can be reduced by keeping the area surrounding the mouth as well as the lips moisturized by using a lip balm that has sunscreen. Entering of viruses and bacteria into the body can be prevented by avoiding touching the mouth frequently, washing hands regularly, and refraining from sharing towels and eating utensils with someone who has a cold sore.
A cold sore can also be treated at the earliest by consulting a Houston dentist who will prescribe the required medication.
Jaw Pain
The muscles and joints in our body including those of the area in the jaw can get tightened because of the cold weather. This problem can become difficult to manage in those people who are suffering from temporomandibular (TMU) disorder.
To prevent discomfort in the jaw and TMU in cold weather, you can keep yourself and the area around the jaw warm by using a scarf or a muffler.
Gum Infections
During the winter season, the immune system can get weakened as it tries to fight illnesses like cold and flu. This weak immune system can cause the formation of bacteria in the gums causing gum infections.
The problem of gum infection can be treated at home with the help of regular and good dental hygiene. It is advisable to consult the best dentist in Houston in case the gums are painful, swollen, or bleeding.
It is important to keep the gums and teeth healthy as well as avoid various issues related to oral health throughout the year and particularly during the cold months of winter by following good oral hygiene.
Ensuring that you follow a routine of regular brushing of teeth, at least twice a day and flossing them every day will help in keeping away dental problems during the winter season. It is also important to change your toothbrush after every four months and also after you have recovered from any illness. It is always advisable to get dental checkups and cleaning of the teeth every six months.
Including a diet that has fresh fruits and vegetables as well as consuming a lot of water during winter helps in keeping dental problems at bay.
Winters are generally harsh and cold months making one prone to a lot of dental health issues, however, these problems can be avoided or taken care of with the help of these simple and easy-to-follow methods which will help in enjoying the winter season without any dental worries.
Make sure that your visits to the best dental offices in Houston are timely and regular and consult your Houston dentist in case of any of the above oral health issues.