It is officially Fall, a beautiful season but also a season with many weather fluctuations. Constant temperature changes and differing climate conditions can have your body feeling strange symptoms sometimes. If you are suddenly experiencing tooth sensitivity, sinus pain, or other abrupt dental symptoms, this could potentially be due to the weather changes. Whatever the cause may be, the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa always recommends that you come in for a dental exam if you are experiencing any unexpected signs or symptoms.
Why Do Weather Changes Impact Your Teeth?
When the weather goes from hot to cold, your body needs to adjust to it. As the temperatures continuously fluctuate, your body doesn’t have time to adjust and can begin to experience physical changes itself, which can sometimes be painful or uncomfortable. Tooth sensitivity is one of the most common symptoms as temperatures begin to drop, this is due cold air entering your mouth for the first time in months. Especially if you have any underlying dental conditions, or just generally have sensitive teeth, you may begin to feel these physical symptoms more intensely than other individuals.
Some Common Oral Health Symptoms as a Result of Weather Changes
During the Fall and Spring Season, patients who are impacted by the inconsistent weather changes can begin to complain about the following symptoms:
- Dry mouth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tooth decay
- Cold sores
- Canker sores
- Infection
- Discomfort or pain
What to Do If you Experience any Sudden Symptoms
Whether or not the cause may be the climate conditions, it is always recommended to visit the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa if you suddenly experience any discomfort or pain around the teeth, gums, or mouth. The issue could coincidentally occur during a sudden weather condition, but you should never assume. If the signs or symptoms you are experiencing are due to a different underlying dental issue, you will want to have it addressed and treated immediately.
Tips to Help Avoid Dental Discomfort During Weather ChangesSome individuals are simply just more prone to experiencing certain physical symptoms during weather fluctuations. However, there are ways to prevent or ease these symptoms. Follow along below:
Avoid Mouth Breathing
When breathing in cold air, it causes a shock to your mouth which typically results in tooth sensitivity. To avoid this, try to focus on breathing in through your nose. If you have a stuffy nose or are unable to thoroughly breath through your nose, wear a scarf around your mouth when going outdoors to help reduce the sudden cold air you are breathing in.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking a sufficient amount of water throughout the day will help with consistent saliva production and overall hydration. During the extremely cold mouths, be careful about drinking hot drinks when temperatures are in the negatives as this can cause a shock to your teeth. Opt for room temperature beverages or aim to consume your daily water intake indoors whenever possible.
Keep your Lips Moisturized
Aside from staying hydrated with sufficient water intake, applying lip oil or lip balm will help keep your lips moisturized. Especially if you are experiencing dry mouth, keeping the lips moisturized will help keep your lips protected and help you feel more comfortable.
Avoid Clenching Your Jaw
A common physical reaction to cold temperatures is clenching your jaw. This is extremely harmful to your oral health as it can lead to problems such as jaw pain, headaches, and tooth damage. To help avoid this, ensure that you are layering up and dressing warm. Use hand and toe warmers for extra heat if you find yourself getting cold often.
Can the weather impact your oral health? Yes. But you can take appropriate measures to help avoid certain dental issues. Being aware of the physical symptoms many people experience during weather shifts can help you be prepared. Regardless, it is important to remember that if you experience any sudden signs or symptoms of dental problems to be sure to schedule a dental visit at the Upper hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. Never make assumptions about your oral health and don’t leave issues untreated. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
