When winter arrives, we dig out our heavy coats, wrap ourselves in woolly scarves, and turn up the thermostat in our home to combat the dropping temperatures outside. We take steps to protect our skin from drying out and do what we can to boost our immune systems during flu season. However, amidst all this preparation, winter dental care often gets overlooked.
While you might not associate the drop in temperature with your oral health and hygiene, the relationship between cold weather and teeth is significant. Many people experience a sharp, stinging sensation when breathing in icy air, or notice their gums feeling more irritated than usual during the winter months. If you have ever felt a jolt of pain in your mouth while shovelling snow or walking the dog on a frosty morning, you’re not the only one.
In our guide to winter dental care, explore why the cold affects your mouth. Learn more about practical ways to "wrap up" your teeth to prevent sensitivity and improve gum health all season long.
Why Do My Teeth Hurt in the Cold?
To understand why winter weather causes dental discomfort, we have to look at the anatomy of a tooth. Your teeth are porous and living parts of your body, not just solid stones.
Teeth are primarily made up of a hard outer layer called enamel and a softer inner layer called dentin. Dentin contains tiny, microscopic tubes that lead directly to the tooth’s nerve center (the pulp). When your enamel is worn down or your gums have receded, these tubes become exposed.
The phenomenon known as "thermal stress" occurs when the temperature in your mouth changes rapidly. Just like an overproof glass dish might crack if you move it from a hot oven to a cold countertop, your teeth expand and contract in response to rapid temperature changes. When you step outside and breathe in freezing air, your tooth enamel contracts. If the contraction happens too quickly, or if the dentin is exposed, it sends a sharp signal to the nerve. This is the root cause of sensitive teeth in cold weather.
Gum Health
It isn't just the hard structures of your teeth that suffer during the winter; your soft tissues are at risk, too. Winter air is notoriously dry, and indoor heating systems only strip more moisture from the environment. This lack of humidity can lead to dehydration and a dry mouth.
Saliva is your mouth’s first line of defence against tooth decay. It washes away food particles and neutralises the acids produced by bacteria. When your mouth is dry, bacteria thrive, increasing the risk of problems like gingivitis and gum infection.
Winter is also the season of the common cold and the flu virus. When your immune system is busy fighting off a virus, it’s less effective at fighting the bacteria in your mouth, making your gums more susceptible to inflammation.
How to Protect Your Smile This Winter
The good news is you don’t have to hibernate to avoid tooth pain. By making a few adjustments to your daily routine, you can maintain excellent winter dental care.
Here are some useful guidelines for protecting your smile when the temperature plummets.
1. Master the "scarf wrap"
This is the simplest and most effective trick for preventing cold-induced pain. When you head outside, you can wrap your scarf loosely over your mouth and nose. This layer acts as an insulator, trapping the heat from your breath and creating a small pocket of warm air, sparing your teeth from thermal shock.
2. Breathe through your nose
Breathing through your mouth is a guaranteed way to blast your front teeth with freezing air. Try to make a conscious effort to breathe in and out through your nose when outside in low temperatures. Your nose acts as a natural humidifier and warmer; by the time the air reaches your throat and mouth, it is significantly warmer than the ambient temperature outside.
3. Switch toothpaste
If you suffer from sensitive teeth in cold weather, you could consider changing to a different toothpaste, specifically formulated for sensitivity and containing potassium nitrate. These compounds help block the tiny tubules in the dentin, helping to insulate the nerve from the cold.
4. Stay hydrated
To fight off the effects of the dry winter air, it’s important to stay properly hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain saliva production, which in turn protects your gums and teeth. If you find plain water unappealing in the cold, opt for warm (not boiling) herbal teas. Avoid sugary drinks or excessive caffeine, as these can actually dehydrate you further.
5. Boost your Vitamin D levels
In the summer, we get plenty of Vitamin D from the sun, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth. In the winter, our levels often drop under the cloudier skies. A Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of gum disease, so you can try adding Vitamin D-rich foods to your diet (such as fatty fish, eggs, and fortified dairy), or taking a supplement to keep your jawbone and gums strong.
6. Be careful with hot drinks
It’s tempting to grab a steaming hot coffee or tea to warm up in the cold, or after being in the cold. However, sipping a hot drink immediately after your teeth have been exposed to cold air can cause microscopic cracks in the enamel due to rapid expansion. Let your hot drinks cool to a warm temperature before sipping, or use a straw to direct the liquid away from your front teeth.
Winter Dental Care
Winter can be a beautiful time of year, but it requires a little extra care when it comes to your health. By understanding how cold weather and teeth interact, you can take proactive steps to avoid pain. From wrapping a scarf around your face to staying hydrated, these small changes ensure that your smile remains bright, healthy, and pain-free, ready to greet the spring.
Remember, whilst making some changes can help to protect your smile during the winter, it’s important that you maintain your normal oral health routines, including brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing, and attending regular dental checkups.
When was your last dental appointment? If it was longer than 6 months ago, it’s important to book your next checkup.
