During winter, many people tend to focus on keeping their skin healthy and hydrated, which is a good thing. However, caring for one’s teeth should also be made a top priority. After all, studies show that a large percentage of people become increasingly susceptible to dental problems once temperatures start to fall.

What causes tooth pain during winter?

In many cases, those who are struggling with tooth pain usually have very little enamel left on their teeth. Multiple things can lead to enamel erosion, including consuming too many acidic drinks, poor oral hygiene, and much more. That said, if enamel gets too low, certain parts of the tooth will become more sensitive to changes in temperature. For this reason, those who are already struggling with sensitivity issues or pain caused by cavities, periodontal disease, or other dental problems may notice that these symptoms are worse during winter compared to other times of the year.

5 Dental care tips for winter

Now that we have a basic understanding of what makes dental pain worse in the winter, let’s go over 5 things that you can do to help minimize or even prevent dental pain:

1. Schedule a dental appointment

Most dentists, including those with Mountain View Dental, will agree that it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a dentist ahead of the winter season, especially if you’re struggling with sensitivity issues or have existing dental problems. For example, if you’re struggling with tooth sensitivity, your dentist will likely start you on a fluoride treatment, which can strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity. Also, resolving dental problems like cavities, tooth decay, and periodontal disease, for example, ahead of winter can help keep dental pain at bay.

2. Brush your teeth twice per day

While brushing your teeth twice per day with a fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush should be done year-round, it is especially important during the winter as this is when we typically spend a lot of time eating meals with our friends and family, which means that plaque and food particles spend more time on our teeth and, in turn, increase our chances of developing cavities.

3. Limit sugar intake

During winter, especially as we move closer to the holidays, you might be tempted to overindulge on cookies, pastries, and even alcohol. It is important to note that these foods and beverages are high in sugar. That said, it would be a good idea to limit your consumption as it will help lower your chances of developing painful cavities.

4. Drink plenty of water

Because we spend more time indoors during the winter, we are often regularly exposed to central heating systems that not only contributes to dry skin but also a dry mouth, which can lead to a buildup in plaque and a higher risk of developing periodontal disease and tooth decay. Drinking plenty of water is a great way to sidestep most, if not all, of these dental problems.

5. Quit smoking

Rounding out dental care tips for winter, if you smoke, quitting is a great way to minimize or even prevent dental pain. According to most dentists, smoking can cause your gums to recede. And the more they recede, the more sensitive your teeth will become.

Bottom line

All in all, there are multiple things that you can do to minimize or prevent dental pain this winter. For more tips on keeping your mouth healthy and pain-free, consider scheduling an appointment with Mountain View Dental today.

Many television shows and movies feature people being given laughing gas. When this is done, the person then has a massive case of silly laughter. It seems as if individuals sitting in a dentist’s chair are enjoying themselves. Many people see this and want to know, how does laughing gas work?

Laughing Gas

Nitrous oxide is more commonly referred to as laughing gas. Medical professionals consider it an effective sedative agent. It is carefully mixed with oxygen before a person inhales it through a small mask that fits over their nose. This is often utilized to help dental patients relax. It could be offered by a dentist to make a person more comfortable during various procedures. Laughing gas won’t put a person to sleep; they will still be able to hear and respond to a dentist’s directions or requests.

Action In The Body

Laughing gas has been used for many years. The different effects on a person’s body will depend on their reactions. Some of the various effects it can cause include:

Euphoria Effect

The gas could produce a feeling of euphoria by causing the release of dopamine. It can stimulate the brain’s mesolimbic reward pathway. It also adds to the analgesic effect.

Anti-Anxiety or Anxiolytic Effect

Research has shown the anti-anxiety effect resulting from inhaling gas is caused by the increased activity of GABAA receptors. These receptors behave as the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in a person’s central nervous system.

Analgesic Effect or Painkiller

Laughing gas decreases the perception of pain by creating an interaction between a person’s endogenous opioids system and a descending noradrenergic system. It has been shown to cause endogenous opioids to be released in a person’s body.

Nitrous Oxide

The chemical name for laughing gas or nitrous oxide or N2O. It is a gas that is colorless and non-flammable. It consists of linear unsymmetrical molecules used to form N2O. It has a slightly sweet odor and flavor. It has been used in surgery as well as dentistry since 1844. Dr. Horace Wells first used it on himself during the extraction of one of his teeth.

Safety

Administering laughing gas in a dentist’s office has been proven to be very safe. A mask will be utilized to administer pure oxygen. Then a mixture of oxygen and laughing gas is administered. The gas often affects a person’s mental performance, vision, manual dexterity, as well as hearing. These effects are temporary. Limited exposure to nitrous oxide has proven to cause no long-lasting effect.

Procedures

There are many different types of dental procedures where laughing gas can be utilized. It can be used during procedures such as root canals, placement of crowns, and more. Laughing gas can make a procedure free of pain. It is possible for people to feel a tingling sensation in their legs and arms or become light-headed. Others have the opposite experience and have their legs and arms feel heavy.

If you would like more information on the question of “how does laughing gas work?” and what to expect from a dental procedure using it, you should contact Mountain View Dental. Their professional and comfortable office is designed to meet any dental needs. Call today or visit their website to schedule an appointment.

It can be difficult to resist sweets during the holiday season. Treats like candy and chocolate are common this time of year and can be found almost everywhere. Although it’s easy to worry about waistlines, teeth can also cause concern.

What Are Cavities?

Dental cavities are holes in the teeth that can grow bigger if left untreated. These permanently damaged areas occur on the surface of a tooth. Cavities are created when there is destruction to the enamel caused by tooth decay.

Cavities can be painful. Experiencing a random toothache that appears to have no cause can be a symptom. Tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking something very hot or cold can also be a sign. Visible holes in the teeth, dark stains or pain while chewing are all dental issues that should be further examined by a dentist.

When bacteria called plaque forms onto the tooth, enamel can wear away over time. Children and adults over 50 are particularly susceptible to cavities, but adults of any age can suffer.

Does Candy Cause Cavities?

Eating sweets can have an impact on health. Most people during childhood heard a parent warn them about eating too much sugar, but does candy cause cavities?

Candy can take many forms. Lollipops, hard candy, and gummies all contain a substantial amount of sugar. Sugar, although often an ingredient that can help cause tooth decay, is not the actual root of the problem. Bacteria is ultimately what causes a cavity to form.

How Are Cavities Formed?

After digesting carbohydrates, a plaque from the mixture of bacteria and saliva can form in the mouth. If plaque builds up over time, bacteria and saliva will cause cavities from the erosion of tooth enamel. Small holes in the teeth are the first stage of a cavity.

Tiny holes in the enamel of a tooth can cause huge damage. Plaque is such a strong mixture of acid and bacteria that it can eat through other layers of the tooth. The pulp of a tooth which includes blood vessels and nerves can be severely impacted. If there is damage to the pulp, the bone that is supporting a tooth can cause extreme sensitivity.

Why Does Candy Have A Bad Reputation?

The sugar in candy can help the production of bacteria in the mouth, but ultimately it is its ability to hide that increases the likelihood of cavities. Candy is often small and can be difficult to reach if it gets lodged in one’s teeth.

Foods with a similar amount of sugar can be less likely to cause cavities simply because of its form. Yogurt, ice cream, and a variety of fruit can be easily washed down with water to clear out food substance from the teeth. Because it’s easy to clean soft, unbreakable food from the mouth, candy is much harder to remove.

Breath mints and hard lozenges are likely to get stuck between grooves and hard-to-reach spaces. Without proper brushing and flossing techniques, candy can stay between teeth for days before it finally dissolves. The buildup of plaque from this candy can easily cause tooth decay over time.

Conclusion

Mountain View Dental offers comfortable and professional dental services in Pleasant View, Utah. Cavities are best-taken care of early and do not require longer appointment times. For a variety of different dental treatments available, please don’t hesitate to set up an appointment. For more information, please call 385-324-3557.

Monday	8 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday	8 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday	8 AM - 7 PM
Thursday	8 AM - 7 PM
Friday	8 AM - 3 PM
Saturday	8 AM - 12 PM
Sunday	Closed