With the low temperatures setting in, it’s time to focus a little more on something we often take for granted: our smiles. 

While protecting your smile during cold weather takes just a little extra care, you need to be extremely careful of certain habits that can make you vulnerable to developing some oral concerns. 

At Berkers Family Dentistry, we are committed to providing you with more and more resources that can help you be aware of these concerns and combat them effectively.

By the end of this blog, you will have access to the following information:

• Different types of oral concerns during the winter
• Tips for protecting your smile during cold weather
• General oral care tips during changing seasons
• How can Berkers Family Dentistry help you combat the oral chills?

During the winter, we frequently have problems with our oral health, including painful cold sores, dry lips, and suddenly sensitive teeth.

We’ve got you covered for being the best at protecting your smile during cold weather with these easy dentist-recommended tips.

Challenges in Protecting Your Smile During Cold Weather and How to Overcome Them

Cold winds, the overdose of hot drinks, changing diets, and a lot of other factors impact the way we take care of our pearly whites in the winter.

There can be a lot of concerns regarding maintaining oral health and hygiene during the winter season. Being aware of the potential complications and being a tad bit careful can do the trick in protecting your smile during cold weather.

Listed below are some of the common issues you hear about in the winter and how to overcome them.

1. Cold Sores

Everyone loves the naturally flushed cheeks that winters give us. But we all despise the bleeding skin around our mouths. It makes eating feel uncomfortable and may cause a very deep burning sensation. 

The reason for these cold sores is the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which tends to like the cooler weather. However, there are several ways to combat them:

• Sun-kissed lips: Apply an SPF-containing lip balm. It’s similar to covering your lips with a warm winter coat to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays, which can cause those annoying cold sores.

• Amp up your hydration! Drink plenty of water! Cold sores are like an open invitation to the winter party when you’re dehydrated.
  Ensure to drink sugar-free drinks that help comfort your mouth instead of agitating your vulnerable skin. 

2. Chapped Lips

Chapped lips are a common concern during wintertime. You witness dry and chapped lips more in the winter because the winter air is dry and very low on moisture.

Here’s how you can maintain your lips:

• Get a Humidifier: Allow an indoor humidifier to do its magic. Bid farewell to arid air and welcome to a lip-friendly atmosphere that retains moisture.

• Balm Happiness: Scoop up a lip balm containing all the good stuff, like coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax. Apply a thick layer of it, especially before heading out into the cold woods.
  
  You can also whip up homemade lip balms targeting customised options, including ingredients like honey and aloe vera gel for moisture, clarified butter for glow, and much more. You will find a lot of these tips online.
  
  You could take your lip-care game a notch higher and exfoliate your lips using a sugar scrub once a week. This will make sure that the old and dry skin on your lips is regularly getting rid of to give space for new and glowing skin cells to resurface.

3. Sensitive Teeth

Are your teeth too sensitive? Winters are going to make your teeth feel much more sensitive.

But don’t worry; this can be easily tackled using a few processes.

• Selecting the right toothpaste: invest in toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth. It soothes and comforts your nerves and helps you combat many problems, like flashes while having cold or hot drinks, sensitive gums, and much more for your pearly whites.

• Watch your diet: Be cautious around acidic materials. Carbonated and sugary drinks can trigger the sensitivity of your teeth to a great extent. You’ll be glad you refrained from eating acidic foods, which can erode the enamel on your teeth. 

A general suggestion for sensitive teeth regardless of the weather is to do certain activities that help you maintain the enamel and protect it from being eroded such as picking up fluoride-free toothpastes. 

Lastly, Remember to show your pearly whites some love. 

Much like the body which is working day in and out to make sure that you can carry out daily life processes regardless of the year, your pearly whites also try hard to stay strong and provide you with a confident smile. 

Don’t forget to protect your smile during cold weather by overdoing any step. Moderation is key; always consult a dentist when in doubt. 

General Oral Care Tips from Expert Dentists

Let’s now discuss some general techniques for protecting yourself during cold weather:

• Floss and brush every day. Maintain a consistent brushing and flossing schedule. Or something along those lines: “Twice a day keeps the dentist away.” It keeps dental plaque at bay, making your teeth look their best.
• Hydrate!: Drink lots and plenty of water! Water is a smile’s best friend as well as a thirst quencher. It cleans out the debris, leaving your mouth feeling fresh and healthy.
• Regular dental check-ups: Regular dental exams can keep your oral health and hygiene in check.

Get Friendly and Customized Dental Treatments

We are Berkers Family Dentistry, a team of well-trained dental professionals working hard to provide you with the best dental treatments.

Whether it is knowing the best ways to protect your smile during cold weather or other dental processes, we can help you with every concern.

If you have any questions or concerns to be answered, reach out to us today!