Cracks, redness, tightness at the corners of the lips and even dental pain: the cold is not our mouth’s greatest ally. Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical, lists the risks to be aware of when temperatures drop.
Why don’t cold and the oral area go well together?
The cold is not always well tolerated by our lips, our palate and our teeth. You must have already noticed this in recent winters when cracks appeared at the corner of your mouth or dryness of the mouth was felt.
“Exposure to cold temperatures, whether through freezing air or cold foods and drinks, can cause discomfort and pain, especially in people who are sensitive or already have dental problems such as tooth sensitivity or gum problems (periodontitis, etc.).”
confirms Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical.
The cold could therefore significantly affect your oral health. Here are 7 little ailments to (re)know in the middle of winter.
Dental pain
“This painful and stinging sensitivity of the teeth, occurring in contact with frozen foods or cold air, is often linked to exposure of dentin (or to dental restorations: fillings, crowns) which react to temperature variations”, warns Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
Micro-tears in the enamel
“These small cracks or micro-tears in the enamel and dentin are caused by the contraction of dental tissues during rapid temperature variations,” indicates the expert.
Discomfort in the mouth
“Sometimes, a simple discomfort or burning sensation in the mouth can spread to the gums, palate, or even the throat, especially if the mouth is exposed to cold air for a long time or if it is dry,” assures the emergency doctor.
Dental hypersensitivity
“The impact of the cold also promotes dental hypersensitivity, with pain that can become chronic without treatment,” alerts the medical director of True Medical.
A dry mouth
“Dry mouth, aggravated by cold and heat, reduces protective saliva and increases the risk of cavities and irritation,” underlines the doctor.
Muscle tension and pain
“Muscular tension and pain linked to the cold and involuntary clenching of the jaws (bruxism) are favored by winter stress, and they can aggravate dental and joint pain”, confides the specialist.
Dryness of the lips
“Finally, the last well-known “boo”: dehydration of the lips which causes redness, tightness, flaking, cracks and crevices, often painful and likely to bleed. Frequent licking of the lips, a reflex to moisten this area, aggravates dryness by creating a wet-dry cycle. Sometimes, these cracks can become infected, particularly on the corners, and be accompanied by an inflammation called cheilitis. warns the medical expert.
How to prevent these little winter sores?
If you are fed up with these mouth pains and other small inconveniences caused by poor weather: know that it is possible to limit them thanks to these few key recommendations.
- Avoid very cold drinks and foods.
“If you suffer from tooth sensitivity, choose more moderate temperatures”; - Use specific toothpastes for sensitive teeth “which strengthen enamel and protect dentin”;
- Protect your mouth from cold air “covering the mouth with a scarf”;
- Maintain good hydration and salivation “to avoid dry mouth which aggravates feelings of cold and discomfort”;
- See a dentist if you have persistent pain “to assess the cause, treat cavities, or restore damaged enamel.”
And if these little winter sores don’t go away, go see a stomatologist (professional specializing in oral care)!