Winterizing Your Sensitive Teeth

Winter is hard on everything – your car, your home, and your willingness to be outside – and it can also be hard on your teeth.  Sensitive teeth really act up when the air is chilly making food or drink that is hot or cold very uncomfortable to ingest.  It can be caused by a number of factors, though in most minor cases it’s worn enamel, or gum recession and there are ways to mitigate the sensitivity and save yourself some discomfort.

Change Up Your Brushing

One of the best first steps in combating teeth sensitivity is switching to a toothpaste that’s made for sensitive teeth.  When tooth enamel becomes eroded it exposes a more vulnerable layer underneath that these special toothpastes can desensitize.  If you use a hard or medium toothbrush you’ll want to switch to soft since just by trying to get your teeth clean you could be wearing down the enamel yourself.  A softer toothbrush will also help with minimizing gum recession as well.

Strengthen Your Enamel

There are other ways to strengthen enamel.  Avoiding sugary or acidic food and drinks is a great place to start as is eating leafy vegetables, dairy, and protein.  Mouthwash can also help as can chewing sugar free gum containing xylitol.  If necessary you can add a remineralizing gel to your hygiene regimen which can rebuild tooth enamel effectively.

Professional Measures

If eroded enamel is not the issue you will likely need to see a professional as other factors that may cause sensitive teeth are tooth decay, irritated gums, or an exposed root.  Action may need to be taken to attack the underlying problem before it escalates into something worse than simple issues with sensitivity.  If you suspect your sensitivity is caused by one of these other factors or is accompanied by pain, call Pickering Square Dental right away.

Sensitive teeth is one of those issues that are not usually harmful but can cause issues with quality of life so it’s best to have it take care of, preferably before the winter is over.  If you or your family are looking for great dentistry contact us at Pickering Square Dental today.

DRY MOUTH AND LIPS: Tips for Prevention and its Complications during Wintertime

Winter brings with it its own set of skin care issues. For those with dry skin, the scourge of dry mouth and dry lips can prevent even the most wonderful winter day from being enjoyed. The painful cracking and peeling of dry lips can be prevented, however! And in this blog, we’ll look at several preventative measures as well as review the complications that can arise during the wintertime.

1. Keep Your Body Hydrated

During the dry winter months, your body requires hydration to stave off dry lips. Take steps to prevent dehydration such as keeping a water bottle with you at all times. And try to eat more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis to ensure you achieve optimal nutrition in the wintertime.

2. Exfoliate Your Skin to Remove Dry Buildup

The dry flakey skin that can occur in wintertime should be removed on a regular basis to help further ensure comfort. Use a damp cloth to gently exfoliate the skin and remove any dry patches. You might also consider a specialized lip scrub to remove the dry skin areas. However, it’s important to ensure the lip scrub is fragrance free to prevent any further skin reaction.

3. Use a Humidifier

Heated indoor air is one of the leading causes of dry skin around the lips and mouth. To combat this issue, set up a humidifier within an office space or home area where you spend the majority of your time. Setting a humidity level of 30-40% can often help prevent the occurrence of dry lips.

4. Don’t Lick Your Lips!

It’s very common for those with dry lips to try to resolve the issue by licking them. But unfortunately, this can have more of a negative than positive effect. That’s because the digestive enzymes present in the saliva can dry tissue out very quickly. And so, when the moisture evaporates, your lips can become even drier than before. The application of a specially designed moisturizer or lip balm is often a superior solution to the problem especially when routinely applied in wintertime after brushing your teeth morning and night and as required in between..

This winter, try to protect the skin on your lips by following the guidelines highlighted within this article. You’ll feel more comfortable and ready to enjoy the many activities that winter living in Canada has to offer!