By Dr Jithya Suresh, Consultant – Pediatric and Preventive Dentist,

 kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Center Bengaluru

Winter’s here and so are the dropping temperatures, chilly wind, and dry air. It is also the season of cold & flu, dry skin  and believe it or not, this season also puts us at higher risk of developing common dental problems. Listed below are some  of the common problems that may occur in our mouth, teeth and gums:

1. Do you experience unexplained toothache or intense and extreme sensitivity during winters? Minor cracks or cavities on the teeth can lead to intense pain which can be triggered by the consumption of hot beverages or by a blast of cold winter air. Inflammation of the maxillary sinus due to seasonal illness can also be a reason for the  same.
2. As we are more prone to seasonal illnesses like flu and common cold in the winter, our immune system is compromised leaving us more vulnerable to infections that appear as small fluid-filled blisters or ulcers in the mouth such as cold sore and canker sores. These ulcers or viral sores are painful and can spread through human touch.
3. Probably the most obvious sign of dryness during winters, chapped lips and dry mouth are hard to avoid. The cold weather tends to quickly dry out lips, leaving them chapped and flaky. Winter dry mouth occurs due to the scarcity of moisture in the air that leads to reduced production of saliva, leaving our mouths dry. In fact, having stuffy nose  can cause our mouths to dry up. Since saliva is instrumental in helping us fight against all kinds of decay in our  mouth, less saliva could mean increased risk of oral infections.
4. Gum infections or gingivitis during winters are also common owing to our compromised immune systems that increases the chances of bacterial growth in our gums causing infections and inflammation. Breathing through the mouth due to a stuffy nose can leave the door open for bacterial growth in the gums.
5. TMJ and facial pain or stiffness in the jaws are also seen during winters. The jaw tends to tighten and contract due to the chilly weather, leading to stiffness, which is likely to be caused by the increased atmospheric pressure on the fluids in the jaws. Like most chronic pain, orofacial pain can get worse as temperature drops as the blood  flow slows down in the extremities when exposed to cold which can increase the pain.

Few more do’s and don’ts for winter oral care:

• Get yourself checked regularly every 6 months so that decay or cracks on the teeth can be treated to prevent aggravation during this time.
• Make sure to maintain your oral hygiene by brushing your teeth at least twice every day, and flossing daily.
• The best possible way to prevent dry lips is to apply petroleum jelly on the cracked lips to soothe them. Drink water to stay adequately hydrated.
• Regular exercise can reduce the stiffness in the joints and reduce chronic pain.
• To prevent frequent bacterial and viral infections wash your hands often, prevent touching the ulcers/ blisters, avoid sharing clothes, towels, items or utensils with people with cold sores.

To keep that beautiful smile intact and to know more now about overall oral hygiene consult a Dentist