All kinds of things—from your diet to your overall health status—can affect how your smile looks and feels. One factor that can alter how your smile feels is the weather! Our Saint Louis dentists have found that many people start to experience dental changes as the weather gets colder, and today we are giving you more information about what kinds of issues you may encounter, and why these things happen.
The first thing to be aware of is that your teeth may be more sensitive and prone to discomfort during the colder months. When your teeth are subjected to quick and dramatic changes in temperature—as when you leave your warm house and walk into cold weather, or sip on a warm beverage in a cold environment—you may feel dental discomfort and sensitivity. This is especially true if your dental enamel is thin in places, or if your gum tissue is pulling away from your teeth, leaving nerves and roots more exposed.
To combat sensitivity, try to minimize the number of times that your smile is exposed to dramatic changes in temperature. You can also talk to your dental team about using specially formulated toothpastes or mouth rinses to fortify dental enamel and minimize discomfort.
As the weather turns colder you may also notice that you start to suffer from dry mouth. This is largely due to the fact that indoor environments are using heating systems that suck moisture out of the air. While dry mouth may seem like simply an inconvenience please be aware that lack of saliva can actually increase your risk of suffering from cavities and gum disease. Try using a humidifier in your home, especially in your bedroom, as dry mouth can be especially bad at night. Additionally, make it a priority to stay hydrated throughout the day, and use specially formulated mouth rinses if necessary.
If you notice unwanted changes to your smile due to cold weather, please feel free to talk to our Saint Louis dentists; we are here to provide you with the information and guidance that you need in order to safeguard your smile.