3 steps to cope with teeth pain due to cold weather outside
Let me tell you 3 steps to cope with teeth pain you may be suffering due to cold weather outside:
Step #1: YOU GOT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENAMEL
Step #2: DON’T INGNORE – PAY ATTENTION TO ACUTE PAIN
Step #3: KEEP YOUR MOUTH WARM WHEN OUTDOORS
How? Let’s dive right in…
Cold weather increases pain sensitivity and intensity for some people. If you have teeth that are sensitive to cold drinks and foods, you may experience discomfort when temperatures outside turn chilly.
Fortunately, you can take steps to lower your risk of feeling pain when the cold breezes blow. Follow the three steps listed below to keep cold-weather tooth pain away.
STEP #1: TAKE CARE OF YOUR ENAMEL
Do you know – Your tooth has a protective outer coating called enamel. Part of the enamel’s job is to offer a barrier between very cold (or hot) substances and the sensitive inner part of teeth. Learned something new, yeh!
Now tell me – Do you feel discomfort when you drink very cold liquids or eat ice cream. Yes!! Oh No, that means your enamel is not doing its job properly.
People with inadequate enamel may feel every gust of cold air rush over their teeth in a very uncomfortable way. Solution – Your enamel needs a boost to give it an edge against extreme temperatures. Use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth before going outside. Your dentist, Dr. Roopam Garg, can recommend a reliable brand.
Wait 30 minutes or so before going outside, and try not to eat or drink anything that will rub away the protective coating left by the toothpaste. Also in addition, protect your enamel by using a soft-bristled toothbrush and brushing in a gentle, circular motion. Say bye to tooth-bleaching products and whitening toothpastes unless advised by your dentist. Tooth-whitening products can wear down enamel and increase tooth sensitivity. Sorry got to do few more things –
- Avoid acidic foods and drinks
- Don’t chew ice or abrasive foods
- Apply prescribed fluoride or desensitizing treatments
- Brush and floss every day
- Have teeth sealed by your dentist
Can’t take that much, sorry! one last thing, I promise – If you clench your teeth when awake or asleep, the pressure will wear down your teeth over time. Clenching the teeth can lead to many issues in the jaw and mouth, not the least of which is increased enamel wearing. Your dentist can fit you for an anti-clenching device to help you stop tooth-grinding.
STEP #2: DON’T IGNORE – PAY ATTENTION TO ACUTE PAIN
Worst case is over, yeh!. Lets say you normally don’t have sensitive teeth but suddenly feel sharp pangs in a tooth when you go outside into a cold. What can be the issue then?
There are a variety of causes for sharp tooth pain when outdoors, although you won’t believe it, some have nothing to do with teeth at all. Yes that’s true! Here’s the reason:
If you have inflamed sinuses, the pressure can make your teeth ache when you’re inside and outside.
An ear infection or jawbone condition can create pain that seems to be coming from your teeth.
Gum disease is also a reason why some people develop sensitive teeth. Cold temperatures may increase the pain caused by ear, gum or jaw problems. If you have a crack, cavity or other entry point into a tooth, cold air can cause intense pain at the site of the tooth break or cavity. If a filling falls out, or the root of a tooth is exposed, cold air can cause extreme pain in the affected tooth.
The cold may also affect you due to a recent dental procedure that needs more time to heal. Whether it’s caused by post-dental-procedure sensitivity, an injury, tooth decay or a crack in a tooth, acute tooth pain in cold weather demands a visit to the experts for a complete examination. Your dentist can fill, extract or repair the tooth that’s causing you pain when temperatures fall. Then, you can enjoy the great outdoors again.
Step #3: KEEP YOUR MOUTH WARM WHEN OUTDOORS
Wise man once said – prevention is better than cure.
Preventing and treating cavities, cracks and gum disease are some of the steps you can take to decrease the chances you’ll feel autumn- and winter-related tooth pain.
Caring for your enamel is another great step in the right direction.
But sadly, you can still have sensitive and painful teeth in cold weather after you’ve done all of these things. What to do then?
One suggestion is to breathe through your nose as much as possible when outdoors. Your cheeks and lips insulate your teeth as long as your mouth is closed. The air you breathe through your nose will be warmer by the time it reaches your teeth, so reactions to the cold may be lessened.
If you’re going out in a brisk wind, a scarf lightly wrapped around the mouth can warm the air before it contacts the surface of your teeth. Cup your hands around your mouth and nose to create a warming zone you can inhale from with each breath.
A hot cup of tea or cocoa with steam you can inhale may also help in an outdoor location. Just try not to drink very hot liquids outside, as the extreme temperature may increase your teeth’s sensitivity to cold.
Conclusion
Its cold only for few months in Texas. Lets not have any excuse stop us from enjoying outside. Follow above three steps and enjoy outdoors. Let me know if you have any questions. Feel free to call us at 972-874-7870. Contact Towne View Dental Care today to schedule your dental exam. We can help make your smile appear brighter and your teeth feel better throughout the year.