Winter is finally here! Or maybe not yet; but still the mercury is dropping faster than you can say Ho Ho Ho. In addition to the flu season, there are a lot of other issues that come with the cold weather. These can include teeth sensitivity (and yes, it has everything to do with aesthetics), sore gums, and possible tooth decay.
Taking care of your teeth and gums during winter requires extra effort. So, to help you out with your oral issues during winter, we’ve asked Dubai’s renowned dentists Dr Tarek and Dr David from Apa Aesthetics to share their top 5 tips on how to keep your oral health in tip-top condition while temperatures drop.
1. Winter is coming! So, what are some specific problems we should be aware of during the cold season?
Dr David: As winter approaches and the weather starts to cool down, we can start to see some issues arising dentally. Cold temperatures can cause a higher risk of teeth sensitivity which is why it’s vital to take extra care during the winter months. It’s not uncommon to get sick or catch a cold during this season, and as the immunity decreases due to illnesses, the possibility of tooth decay rises. A cold can represent sinusitis as well, and because the sinus is located close to the upper teeth, it can mimic toothache due to referred pain. As it gets colder, we tend to change our dietary habits too, which can contribute to decay if we neglect dental care, whether it’s consuming more food or a carb-based diet.
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2. Cold temperatures could leave your teeth feeling sore, what’s the best way to avoid tooth sensitivity?
Dr Tarek: Dental sensitivity is a very common problem that can be caused by many reasons, like gum problems, possible cavities, tooth wear, poor or incorrect oral hygiene. The best way to prevent tooth sensitivity is to brush and floss daily, not too hard nor too often, with a pressure control electric toothbrush and a sensitivity paste that will reinforce your enamel.
3. Getting a cold in winter is very common, and we often take cough syrups etc., what effect does it have on our teeth? Is there anything we should avoid?
Dr David: Cough syrup and many other medicinal liquids can sometimes dry the mouth which can create an ideal medium for bacteria to attack the teeth and initiate decay. It’s important to maintain a favourable moist oral environment through drinking less acidic or sweet drinks. More so, when you develop a cold, there is usually sinusitis which can cause referred pain towards the upper teeth as they are close to the sinuses. Although this can be normal, when excessive it’s important to visit the dentist for a checkup to exclude any dental occurrences.
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4. During the festive periods, we often indulge in more sweets treats – are these bad for our teeth? Are other treats we can enjoy which aren’t so bad for us?
Dr David: Everything in excess can be harmful to your oral health. We always like to recommend that after indulging in sweet treats to make sure you brush and floss your teeth in the next 30 minutes after having those sugar bombs. Alternatively, you could find healthier options that will give you the same amount of happiness but containing sugar substitutes.
5. Drinking hot drinks during the winter months can be bad for your teeth, what can we do to help prevent this?
Dr Tarek: During the winter months our consumption of hot beverages tend to increase. Again, with most hot drinks like tea and coffee, they tend to dry out the mouth. This can have bad effects on the teeth and gums which is why it’s important to always hydrate with water between drinking hot beverages.
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What other oral issues, other than teeth sensitivity do you face during winter? Feel free to share in the comments.
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