Your Autumn/Winter Oral Health Checklist
Advice to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy during the colder weather
Days of staying indoors to avoid the extreme heat seems like a long time ago now and we are clearly starting to see the beginning of the colder and wetter weather. While it may come as a relief for some, no doubt others will already be planning their summer holidays next year, thinking of lying in the sun on the beach.
Each season has its pleasures and its challenges, and although it may not seem obvious initially, this also potentially affects the health of your teeth and gums. The basics still remain the same of course; brushing and flossing as well as making the necessary appointments at our Canterbury dental clinic for check ups and other treatments, but there are a few other things that you need to consider as we approach the shorter and colder days ahead.
Be prepared
Before we get on to specifics, all the dentists at Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic will tell you that one of the most important things is to use a ‘healthy’ toothbrush. By this we mean one that doesn’t have worn out bristles. These will be much less effective at removing bacteria and staining materials from your teeth and especially the gum line. Move into Autumn prepared by treating yourself to a new toothbrush if yours is more than three months old or is showing signs of wear. The same applies to the head of electric toothbrushes. If you don’t floss at the moment, add this to your shopping list too and perhaps watch some online tutorials to get the hang of it.
Beware of comfort foods
While cold high sugar drinks are a big risk to your teeth and gums in summer, one of the biggest dangers during the colder months comes in the form of comfort foods. We are likely to spend more time at home, perhaps under a duvet given the rise in energy prices, watching our favourite TV programmes or box sets. There is nothing wrong with that of course, but alongside this often goes a multitude of snacks. These are often what we might call ‘comfort foods’ which contain high levels of sugar. They might also be washed down with a hot sugary drink too. This quantity of sugar is a real threat to the enamel on your teeth and you should try to keep sugary foods and drinks to at least a reasonable level, however well you brush your teeth.
Don’t get dehydrated
This might seem a little odd as we tend to sweat more when it is hot, but our bodies still lose moisture even in the coldest of UK winters. It is important then, to maintain good hydration however cold it is. Some hot drinks, such as tea, are actually diuretics so we recommend that you also drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you feel you don’t want to drink really cold water, try adding a little hot water from the kettle to ‘take the edge off’.
Sensitive teeth
Talking of ‘taking the edge off’, one problem that tends to increase in the cold weather is tooth sensitivity. This can be caused by a number of things, but especially eroded enamel on the tooth surface. This allows the hot and cold to enter the inner part of our teeth where the nerves are located. It is important to look after this protective tooth layer with regular cleaning and dental hygienist visits to remove any calculus, or tartar, from the tooth surface. Where damage has already occurred, we recommend that you talk to one of our Canterbury dentists about the possibility of fitting porcelain veneers to replace the damaged natural enamel in order to prevent overly sensitive teeth.
There is also likely to be a degree of expansion and contraction of the enamel which occurs naturally during hot or cold weather. This can even happen with healthy teeth, but if you experience this, you should always have them professionally checked. If your teeth are healthy but you still experience painful sensitivity, you may find some relief by using a sensitive tooth toothpaste which will help to minimise any discomfort.
Winter toothaches
A toothache is a toothache irrespective of the season and the chances are that you have a decaying tooth or a root canal infection that needs looking at right away. You can always contact us for an emergency dental appointment if you are unfortunate to experience this. Some people find that they experience a painful tooth more in winter than in summer though. While it may well be tooth decay causing it, it can also be caused by sinus infections which cause an increase in pressure and often cause teeth to become painful, especially the rear teeth on the upper arch. If you have a sinus infection and this occurs, this is most likely the cause, though if the pain persists, you should call us for a check up just to be on the safe side.
Winter, summer, spring and autumn; all seasons pose particular challenges to our oral health. We are open all year round to help you though and if you need to make an appointment to see a dentist, or hygienist, you can book an appointment by calling Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic on 01227 463529.