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HomeOral Health | Five top tips for Winter

Oral Health | Five top tips for Winter

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Improve your Oral Health this Winter
1. Brush away sensitivity
2. Protect against chapped lips
3. Get tough on cold sores
4. Keep gum disease at bay
5. Hydrate for oral health

Improve your Oral Health this Winter

From hitting the slopes to keeping warm with a brisk winter’s walk, the cooler weather shouldn’t stop you from getting out and about. However, colder temperatures and chilly winds can be bad news for your teeth, mouth and lips.

From chapped lips to painful sensitive teeth, winter can bring all kinds of oral complaints. To help you keep on top of your oral hygiene and beat the winter dental blues, we’ve put together some handy tips that will ensure you can get stuck into your favourite wintery activities without putting your oral health at risk.


1. Brush away sensitivity

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, you may have noticed that this condition is even worse during the cooler winter months, when colder temperatures and chilly winds can exacerbate pain and sensitivity.

To combat the pain of sensitive teeth, opt for a desensitising toothpaste which is designed to protect teeth from sensitivity to extreme temperatures. This can help to minimise the heightened effect of lower temperatures on your teeth, so you can carry on eating and drinking without discomfort.


2. Protect against chapped lips

Whether you’re holidaying in the snow or enjoying a winter’s bushwalk, dry, cracked lips can be an unfortunate side-effect of getting out and about during winter-time. Exposure to wind, sun, and cold temperatures can damage the delicate skin on your lips, causing them to become rough and chapped.

Applying a lip balm that contains a minimum SPF of 15 is a simple but effective way of protecting your lips - just pop some on each day and top up as needed. Drinking plenty of water can also help keep skin hydrated, while dry air in the home can be counteracted by installing a humidifier to keep air moisture at an optimal level.


3. Get tough on cold sores

Nobody likes getting a cold sore - but exposure to the harsh winter sunlight and biting winds can lead to those dreaded cold sore or canker sore breakouts that we’d all rather avoid, whatever the season.

When it comes to preventing mouth sores, your best bet is to keep the skin around your mouth protected. Use an SPF of 15 or higher, apply a daily moisturiser, and wash your hands regularly to avoid the spread of viral bacteria between your hands and your face.


4. Keep gum disease at bay

Nobody likes getting a cold sore - but exposure to the harsh winter sunlight and biting winds can lead to those dreaded cold sore or canker sore breakouts that we’d all rather avoid, whatever the season.

As a weak immune system can leave gums more vulnerable to inflammation and infections, be sure to maintain your oral hygiene habits during winter to keep teeth and gums healthy. Remember to replace your toothbrush regularly, especially if you’ve had a cold or the flu. Vitamin C supplements can also be beneficial - in addition to helping your immune system, they assist the body in producing collagen, which is important for gum health.


5. Hydrate for oral health

Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is an important factor in good oral health. Drinking water helps to rinse off sugar and acid from our teeth, keeps our lips and mouth hydrated, and can prevent bacteria from developing in the mouth.

However, when the mercury starts dipping, many of us are more likely to opt for comforting beverages like tea, coffee, and hot chocolate, rather than our usual daily water intake. Even in the cooler months, make an effort to consume at least two litres of water a day to ensure you stay hydrated and healthy.



It may be cold outside, but don’t let that put you off attending your local dental practice for a check-up! If you’re due for a visit this winter, today and keep on top of your oral health.