Cold winter weather, dry air, and increased time spent indoors can have a negative impact on your oral health. Consequently, teeth and gums often need a little extra TLC over winter.
This blog is designed as a guide to help you better care for your mouth in the chilliest season. The dental experts at Oakville Place Dental are here to help minimize tooth sensitivity, reduce your risk of cavities, and maintain your oral health!
We don’t need to tell you that Ontario winters are cold. As temperatures begin to plummet, we start spending more time inside…preferably with the heating turned way up. Still, although we have successfully escaped the freezing outdoors, it comes with a cost (and no, we’re not talking about your heating bill).
Winter air is naturally dry because cold air holds less moisture than warm air. Indoor heating systems, however, reduce air humidity even further. Breathing in all that dry air then dries out our mouths. That’s why dry mouth (also called xerostomia) is much more common in the winter months.
Everyone knows the feeling of having xerostomia. Your mouth feels oddly sticky, you’re thirsty all the time, and sometimes you even have a sore throat. A dry mouth isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s also a problem for your oral health.
Dry mouths are low in saliva, which is your body’s natural defence against tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva’s job is to wash away food particles, neutralize acids, minimize plaque buildup, and combat bacterial overgrowth in the mouth. When there isn’t enough saliva in your mouth, you’re more susceptible to cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath (halitosis).
Dehydration causes saliva production to drop, so staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to maintain oral health. Colder weather causes people to consume less water, further exacerbating dry mouths.
So, what can you do to combat dry winter mouths? First, make sure you’re drinking enough water and staying hydrated. You can also use a humidifier to introduce moisture back into the indoor air.
Do you experience heightened tooth sensitivity in the wintertime? If you do, you’re not alone. Many patients find that their teeth begin to ache when temperatures drop.
This unpleasant experience can be caused by several things; however, most are related to tooth enamel. The enamel is the outer layer of teeth that protects the sensitive inner tooth from temperature changes and bacterial attacks. When the enamel is weakened, sensitivity and soreness can start.
Teeth (like many materials) expand and contract with changes in temperatures. Over time, tiny cracks can form in the enamel as a result. This exposes the sensitive layers beneath the enamel, leading to sensitivity and discomfort in hot or cold temperatures. So, when you breathe in a mouthful of freezing cold Ontario air, your teeth may hurt.
Consuming too many sugary or acidic foods or beverages, brushing your teeth too aggressively, grinding your teeth, and using at-home teeth-whitening treatments can also wear down your enamel.
Even low vitamin D levels can affect the strength of tooth enamel. Since we get vitamin D from sunlight, and there is less of it during Canadian winters, vitamin D deficiencies are common.
Amalgam fillings are also extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations, since metal expands and contracts more quickly than natural teeth.
Fall and winter are known as cold and flu season, because viruses spread more easily indoors and in cool, less humid conditions. Getting sick is annoying enough on its own; however, these common illnesses can also impact oral health.
Colds, flu, sinus infections, and other respiratory illnesses often inflame and irritate our sinuses. This puts pressure on your dental nerves, leading to tooth pain and sensitivity. Additionally, nasal congestion forces us to breathe through our mouths, exacerbating dry mouth and crippling saliva production.
Furthermore, many medications used to combat cold and flu symptoms are bad for teeth and gums. Syrups and lozenges may soothe a runny nose or cough, but they contain high amounts of sugar.
Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, raising oral acidity levels and weakening tooth enamel. Lozenges are particularly detrimental since they remain in the mouth for long periods of time, effectively bathing your teeth in sugar.
Canker sores are brought on by environmental and lifestyle changes; they’re not contagious, unlike cold sores. Cold weather and seasonal shifts, however, do increase your risk of developing annoying canker sores.
Dehydration in the mouth, caused by dry winter air and indoor heating systems, exposes your mouth to more germs and irritates your oral tissues. This can lead to new canker sores or worsen the ones you already have. A weakened immune system also makes your body more susceptible to canker sores.
Lastly, changes in diet, increased stress, and disruptions to routines also affect canker sores. During the winter holidays, many people experience extra stress and fatigue. Festive feasting can introduce dietary triggers that can trigger canker sores.
When spring returns, many of our patients learn that they developed a new cavity over the winter. A myriad of winter-time factors increase your risk of tooth decay, such as dry mouth, seasonal illness medications, changes in diet, and disruptions to your routine.
A dry mouth is an acidic mouth. Since there isn’t enough saliva to wash away excess oral bacteria and food particles, acid and plaque levels skyrocket. This wears down the tooth enamel, causing tiny holes to form in the protective outer layer. Bacteria can then attack the vulnerable tooth interior, ultimately leading to irreversible tooth decay.
Increased sugar consumption also stimulates oral bacterial growth. Sugary cold and flu medicine (particularly lozenges) and festive treats play a significant role in the development of winter cavities.
Additionally, the holidays disrupt routines, and your at-home dental hygiene routine sometimes suffers. This makes you especially vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities.
Oakville Place Dental Office is the leading clinic in Oakville, Ontario. Our modern and comfortable office offers a wide range of dental services, including teeth cleaning, full-service dental checkups, restorative treatments, and more.
Additionally, we will work with your insurance company to bill them directly for applicable services whenever possible.
Experience the highest standard of dental care at Oakville Place Dental Office! Our warm and friendly dentists in Oakville are eager to welcome you. We strive to make every dental visit a positive experience for our patients.
To make an appointment with our dentist in Oakville, call Oakville Place Dental Office at 905-842-6030 or contact us here.
0 Comment
