CaN THE WINTER MAKE OUR TEETH MORE SENSITIVE?

Have you ever wondered why your teeth can become more sensitive when the weather gets colder?

Cold weather can actually make your teeth hurt.

Fun and slightly wild fact – our teeth respond to extreme heat and cold by expanding and contracting.  I know right, absolutely unbelievable!

Sadly, over time, this can lead to cracks in your teeth exposing microscoptic tubes beneath your enamel, these tubes are super vulnerable and will cause the same type of pain you feel due to cavities, gum disease or other dental issues.

Beneath your enamel is the core of your teeth, the dentin.  Dentin is covered in nerve fibers which will cause pain when exposed. Any problems with your enamel or gums could leave you experiencing pain in the cold weather months.

Sadly, weather pain and sensitivity can be experienced by anyone no matter how well you care for your teeth. It’s the age old story of age, lifestyle and genes that play a part in how we experience dental issues.

You are however at greater risk if you do not practice good oral hygiene and live in an area where the cold is pretty damn cold! Hello British Winter….

We are often the culprit’s of dental sensitivities with the following points being reasons as to why you’d be suffering more so through the colder months of the year.

1. Periodontal disease: one of the earliest signs of periodontal disease is gingivitis which can lead to exposure of dentin so be sure to look after those gums peeps, flossing and using interdentals are the only way forward on this one.
2. Tooth decay: dental sensitivity to cold can be a sign of tooth decay that has previously been unnoticed. If you start getting dental pain in anyway, you need to book in with your dentist quick smart to get on top of it quickly.
3. Love a bit of tooth whitening but are suffering with dental pain…. please stop it. The peroxides and other whitening agents used in whitening products can strip past surface stains and wear down enamel. You do not want this so consult your dentist straight away and stop any whitening treatment you’ve got going on.
4. Acidic drinks. Anything that is sugary or acidic can bring the PH level of your oral health down to a dangerous level that can start to erode teeth and expose the dentin layer – causing, you guessed it, tooth decay. Keep these drinks to a minimum if possible.
5. Not following a dental routine that takes care of your complete oral health – the teeth, gums and tongue – can cause your gums to recede that in turn can expose the dentin at the base of the gum line. This would then cause your teeth to become super sensitive to temperature.

It’s a lot, I get it, but it need not be.

Following a good dental routine, making sure you get regular dental check ups as well as getting a balanced diet full of amazing vitamins and minerals that protect and build up your dental health will become second nature once you start.

We’ve got everything to help from manual and electric toothbrushes, to brightening antioxidant toothpaste (without the peroxide) and interdental brushes – your dental sensitivities can be looked after and cared for.

Naturally and Organically.