Tag Archives: teeth

4 Ways The Cold Weather Might Be Impacting Your Mouth (Yes, Really)

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The cold weather can impact our bodies in so many ways, from making menopause symptoms worse to triggering arthritis flare ups.

But one little-known effect of the winter weather is that it can also trigger or worsen a range of dental problems, according to Dr Raj Juneja, principal dentist at Face Teeth Smile Dental Clinics.

So, in the spirit of staying informed – and preventing any issues from cropping up when the worst of the cold weather hits – here are just some of the ways cooler climes can impact your gnashers.

1. Tooth sensitivity

Dr Juneja said one of the most frequent issues dentists see during winter is tooth sensitivity.

When your tooth enamel (the outer layer of your teeth) becomes worn or thin, the underlying dentin and nerves are more exposed.

This means external stimuli – like hot or cold substances (yes, your morning coffee en route to work is very much included in that) – can reach the nerve and cause a sharp, shooting pain.

If you’ve noticed a bit of sensitivity, the dentist advises using a desensitising toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush, as well as avoiding acidic foods and whitening products that can thin the enamel further.

2. Cracked teeth and damaged fillings

Unfortunately, cold temperatures can also make teeth and dental restorations (like fillings and crowns) more brittle, said the dentist.

This is because when you go from warm to cold environments rapidly, your teeth can expand and contract slightly. Over time, this stress may lead to micro-fractures in enamel or even damage old fillings.

If you notice pain when biting or temperature sensitivity in a specific area, Dr Juneja recommends scheduling a dental check-up promptly, as early detection prevents small cracks from turning into a bigger issue.

3. Dry mouth and chapped lips

It’s not just your teeth which might be feeling the strain as the winter weather hits, as you ramp your heating up, you might notice you have a dry mouth. This can lead to bad breath, tooth decay and discomfort, said the dentist. You might notice your lips feel positively desert-like, too.

Dr Juneja’s advice? Stay hydrated, use a humidifier at home, and consider sugar-free lozenges or gum to stimulate saliva flow. He also advises applying a protective lip balm to prevent cracked lips and corners of the mouth.

4. Jaw tension and tooth grinding

Lastly, cold weather can cause people to clench their jaws or grind their teeth subconsciously, said the dentist, especially if you’re spending a fair bit of time shivering.

“This can worsen temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, lead to headaches, and wear down tooth enamel,” he said.

If you’ve noticed you’re a winter clencher, try relaxation exercises and keeping your face warm with a scarf. And don’t forget to ask your dentist about a night guard if you grind your teeth during sleep.

Keeping on top of dental check-ups can also help flag any signs of tooth damage or decay early on.

Good luck!

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These ‘Healthy’ Habits Could Be Staining Your Teeth More Than Coffee

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Most of us know that coffee, wine, and tea can turn your pearly whites a little darker, though some people naturally have yellower teeth thanks to the thickness of their dentin and enamel.

Smoking causes staining, too, thanks to nicotine and tar settling on your enamel.

But according to Dr Edoardo Felici, a cosmetic dentist at Apa Aesthetic Clinic, sometimes “healthy” habits can lead to less-bright smiles.

“The patients I see are often shocked when I tell them it isn’t their coffee that’s doing the most staining,” he told us.

Acidic drinks weaken your enamel

When you drink acidic beverages, your enamel softens temporarily.

So, if you consume colourful foods and drinks (like turmeric and matcha) while your teeth are in this more vulnerable state, the dentist shared that this leaves you at a higher risk of staining.

“It’s often smoothies, juices and even kombucha that cause bigger issues,” Dr Fellici said.

“These drinks, while part of many wellness routines, are high in natural sugars and acids that can soften enamel, making teeth more prone to discolouration.”

Green juices, sparkling water, and apple cider vinegar all soften your teeth for a while.

If these don’t have pigmented ingredients of their own, try not to follow them with foods like berries – that colour is likely to stick longer on your gnashers.

How can I prevent staining from “healthy” drinks?

Dr Felici advised using a straw to drink acidic and/or colourful drinks and rinsing your mouth with water straight after consumption to eliminate the acids.

And because your enamel is also more exposed following brushing, the dentist said we should all be waiting for at least half an hour after our morning scrub before eating and drinking.

“Teeth are often the first thing people notice, so it’s frustrating when patients are following what they believe are healthy habits, yet still struggle with stains,” Dr Felici ended.

“Wellness should work with your smile, not against it – with a few tweaks, you can keep both your health goals and your teeth in great shape.”

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Here’s How Often You’re Actually Meant To Replace Your Toothbrush, And Oh Dear

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I only recently realised that you’re not actually meant to “scrub” your teeth with an electric toothbrush ― instead, we’re meant to glide the head gently over each tooth, neither moving it up or down nor side to side.

This comes after I learned you’re meant to floss your teeth far deeper than first thought and that the floss picks I’ve relied on for so long are nowhere near as good as the string kinds.

I’ve even messed up using mouthwash.

All of which is to say it’s not so surprising that I’ve just discovered how often you’re meant to change your toothbrush or toothbrush head.

What do the experts say?

You should get a new toothbrush every three to four months, according to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Health information site Healthline agrees, adding that electric toothbrush heads might need to be changed as often as every 12 weeks ― especially if you apply a lot of pressure to your toothbrush.

By that stage, they say, the bristles may have started to warp, mesh or mat.

That’s an issue because, according to toothbrush manufacturer Philips, “brush head bristles are designed to reach between your teeth, and pressing too hard actually mashes them, rendering them incapable of doing their intended job”.

A 2012 study found that bristle flaring ― that spread-out look your brush gets after a while, especially if you brush hard ― results in less effective brushing, leaving way more bacteria and plaque behind than a fresh brush would.

No matter how long it’s been since you last changed your toothbrush or brush head, the NHS recommends changing it as soon as you notice any wear.

Should I change my toothbrush after being sick?

Healthline says that ideally, yes ― especially if you’ve had a disease like strep throat or viral infections that affect your throat and mouth.

But they add that trying to “sanitise” your brush, for example by dipping it in mouthwash or very hot water, can actually spreads more germs than it kills off.

For everyday use, simply running tap water over your brush when it’s done is the best method, they add.

Well, at least I’ve got one single dental hygiene rule right…

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Dental Hygienist Warns Against The 1 Flossing Mistake We All Make

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I saw a tweet (well, post on X) in which someone advised, “only floss the teeth you want to keep”. I reached for the minty spool pretty swiftly after reading that.

But, after viewing a TikTok post from dental hygienist Anna Peterson, I’ve realised my efforts may have been in vain ― turns out, I’ve been flossing my teeth wrong for years.

“Do you know how deep you’re meant to go with floss?” Peterson began the video, quoting a question that had been asked of her in the comments of another TikTok video.

“The only way for me to properly answer is to show it to you,” the dental hygienist revealed.

Spoiler ― it’s further than you think

Tearing off a length of dental tape, Anna Peterson said, “when it comes to flossing, it’s really important that you do go to the right depth, or you won’t be doing it effectively, and you could still have gum disease, even though you’re flossing.”

She then revealed that “the floss needs to go to the gum level and then some more,” sharing a closeup that revealed a thin strip of dental floss sliding into the curve at the top of her tooth (I was surprised, too).

That’s possible, she says, because “the gum is not attached to the actual crown of the tooth, and the crown of the tooth is the bit that we can actually see.”

Instead, the gum attaches to the root of the tooth ― there’s no direct attachment between the front of your gnashers and your gums. I’m still reeling from that.

“This means that bacteria are in between that bit of gum and crown of the tooth that we can’t see,” the dental hygienist said. “And it’s why it’s so important that with the floss, we are going right up and under.”

She then shared that, if your gums are healthy, you can go about 1-3mm in depth. “Keep doing it, even if it’s bleeding,” she advises.

Well, that’s changed how I clean my teeth forever…

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