Can Winter Cause Toothaches and Sensitivity?
With winter approaching fast, your body reacts to the changes in temperature, and your teeth are no exception. Your teeth are part of your body associated with your overall health. Therefore any changes your body experiences during winter are also felt by your teeth that react to them, similar to your hands, tummy, et cetera.
Can the Cold Weather Hurt My Teeth?
The cold weather undoubtedly affects your teeth to cause pain and sensitivity because the temperature results in the appearance of small cracks in your teeth. The hairline fissures weaken the tooth enamel’s protection to the softer clear beneath it, the dentin home to the nerves.
The cracks appear because your teeth are reacting to the temperature changes. Therefore when the cold air enters your mouth, it causes your teeth to contract. However, the teeth expand when the temperature warms up in your mouth. The contracting and warming ensure the enamel crevices are tiny, making them indistinguishable. Unfortunately, you experience the results of the process during the cold weather.
You develop toothaches when the cold air contacts the sensitive nerve fibers in the dentin to leave you with sensitive teeth, similar to what you experience when having hot or cold foods.
An optimal technique to guard against toothaches in winter is to use your nose to breathe instead of your mouth. Another remedy against tooth sensitivity is to avoid clenching your jaw, a reaction many people prefer to remain warm during a cold spell by generally tensing up.
How to Deal with Tooth Pain and Sensitivity in Winter?
A reliable and time-tested solution to minimize toothaches and sensitivity in winter is to maintain excellent dental hygiene practices and reduce the intake of sugary foods and beverages.
Brushing your teeth twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste, flossing once regardless of the time, and using a soft-bristled toothbrush specifically designed to reduce tooth sensitivity and prevent enamel erosion are recommended by the Youngtown dentist for optimal results. Fluoride mouthwash also helps form a protective shield over your teeth-sensitive areas.
Toothaches in winter also result from gum infections. If your gums recede, the dentin beneath becomes vulnerable to sensitivity. Excellent dental hygiene helps ward off gum infections that start from an accumulation of plaque and tartar.
While sugary foods and beverages destroy tooth enamel helping acid-producing bacteria sustenance, alternative foods benefit your periodontal health. For example, you can include dairy products and crunchy fruits and vegetables that help remove plaque and debris from your teeth.
Regular checkups from the dentist near me to detect issues in your mouth before aggravating also prove beneficial.
What If the Discomfort Doesn’t Subside?
Your teeth are naturally porous and sensitive but can tolerate the winter weather with minimal or no irritation. Unfortunately, if the tooth sensitivity doesn’t subside in a few days during a cold snap, you find it beneficial to seek help from the nearby dental office to detect underlying issues you may be unaware of and help overcome the discomfort.
Over-sensitive teeth indicate warning signs of issues with tooth decay or periodontal disease. In addition, toothaches during winter also point toward troubles like failing fillings, crowns, and incorrect bite functions resulting in bruxism besides cavities and gum disease.
Dental pain or sensitivity is best managed by maintaining good oral hygiene and getting six monthly dental prophylaxis from the dentist in Youngtown throughout the year. You must ensure that you follow the practice without exceptions and not wait for the winter months to change your dental hygiene routine to prevent toothaches or sensitivity.
If you wait until winter arrives before wondering what’s wrong with your teeth or gums, you will likely visit dentists more often than every six months. You might also require remedies for cracks and fissures in your teeth that might have developed over time but remained untreated or ignored for various reasons.
While the dentist in Youngtown will happily provide essential treatments whenever you approach them, why should you consider waiting for the temperatures to fall below zero and experience discomfort with toothaches or sensitivity? Instead, wouldn’t you find it beneficial to prepare ahead of time by visiting the dentist in Youngtown today to evaluate your dental health and remain free from concerns during winter? We believe you will prefer the latter and contact the dentist immediately for any issues with your teeth.
Agua Fria Dental recommends everyone to have their teeth and mouth evaluated before temperatures drop to check for minor fissures and cracks in their teeth that expand and contract in winter. If it is over six months since your last dental visit, consider scheduling a meeting with this dental facility today to get your teeth examined and enjoy winter without tooth pain or sensitivity.