Why Your Teeth May Be Hurting More in the Winter
You might be ready for spring, but we’ve still got a little while to go! You’re tired of the cold weather, the snow, and flu season being in full swing.
One of the other reasons you might be ready for winter to be over is because your teeth are hurting but why?
Here are a few of the top reasons why your pearly whites may be bothering you more in the winter than they do throughout the other seasons of the year.
The Freezing Temperatures Affect Your Enamel
Did you know that sensitive teeth aren’t just affected by the temperature of the foods you eat, but also by the temperature of the air?
In people who have worn-away or compromised tooth enamel, a temperature can pass right by the enamel and instead hit the dentin, which is the layer of softer tissue between the nerve of your tooth and your protective enamel.
Here is where the pain of tooth sensitivity comes in. Once the freezing temperatures affect your enamel in this way, it can feel difficult to breathe in cold air through your mouth because your teeth are hurting.
You’re Consuming Hot Foods and Drinks
In the winter, it’s natural to want to cozy up with a cup of cocoa or enjoy a hot meal. If your teeth are sensitive, these hot foods and drinks can make your teeth hurt even worse.
This is especially true if you’re eating hot foods and then exposing your mouth to a cool drink, or even cold air after you eat something really hot. The contrast can make your teeth hurt. You may feel a sharp pain or more of an aching feeling.
In order to help combat this, try your best not to make your hot foods and drinks extremely hot. Your foods and drinks don’t have to necessarily be room temperature, but they shouldn’t be piping hot; otherwise, they have the potential to hurt your teeth.
You’ve Been Indulging
With the holidays not-so-far behind us, sugar consumption is a very real threat to teeth. Sugar can make sensitive teeth hurt even worse, therefore making your indulgences a little more painful than just consuming extra calories!
To help prevent sugar from ruining your teeth, follow our helpful tips in addition to coming in for your regular checkup!
Teeth Whitening Has Taken Its Toll
Did you whiten your teeth at home for a friend’s winter wedding? Christmas? Valentine’s Day? You may have overused those at-home kits and your teeth are now feeling a little sensitive.
While home whitening kits can make your teeth a shade or two lighter, it’s essential that you follow the instructions on the kit. If you overuse these kits, such as leaving the whitening solution on your teeth for too long or using the kits too frequently, you risk making you teeth extremely sensitive.
Your best bet is always to get your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist in Asheville. This is because your dentist can fully protect your gum tissue from the whitening agents and protect your teeth from sensitivity while making your smile as white as you’d like.
Find out more about Saunders DDS professional teeth whitening services here.
Stress Is Making You Grind Your Teeth
If you’re under a lot of stress, you’re at higher risk to grind your teeth. Bruxism, the technical term for teeth grinding, is extremely damaging to teeth. In fact, it can wear teeth right down and cause severe sensitivity and even fractures.
In the event that your teeth are hurting and you’re not sure why or if you’re seeing additional symptoms such as jaw pain, facial pain, or headaches you might want to see your Asheville dentist to ensure that stress isn’t making you grind your teeth.
Whether the holidays stressed you out, the cold weather is taking its toll on you, or you’re taking care of sick kids, don’t let stress affect your teeth!
What Can You Do?
Tooth sensitivity is no fun. If your teeth are hurting in the winter, it’s time to visit your dentist in Asheville.
Dr. Saunders can better advise you on what needs to happen to make your teeth feel better. A fluoride treatment may help, or you may need to be more consistent with getting professional cleanings to remove plaque and protect your enamel.
Brushing your teeth gently is also imperative when you have sensitive teeth, as is being cautious of foods with extreme temperatures. Your Asheville dentist can also tell if you grind your teeth, have gum disease, or any other issues that could be causing your sensitive teeth to feel worse in this colder weather.
Managing your stress is essential to ensure your immune system is in optimal condition. Your immune system plays a key role in fighting oral diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease. Managing your stress will also help reduce your chances of bruxism. In order to have your healthiest smile, having your immune system to support you is a great benefit!
Taking Care of Your Teeth in the Winter
Don’t worry, spring isn’t far away! While you’re taking care of your teeth in the winter, be sure to visit your dentist to ensure you’re not suffering from any oral health problems and to get a professional cleaning. Your dentist in Asheville can help you to have your healthiest smile for life.
Leaving your teeth whitening to a professional can help you have a brighter smile in the safest way possible without damaging your teeth or causing more pain from tooth sensitivity. During your consultation with Saunders DDS, your teeth whitening will be conducted in the safest, most effective manner possible.
Finally, always wear a mouthguard during winter sports such as ice hockey and snowboarding. Custom mouthguards can fully protect your teeth and gums from injury as well as have the potential to limit the impact of concussions in contact sports!
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and ensure that your teeth aren’t painful in the cold weather. You can have a beautiful, healthy smile throughout the year!