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.

For those of you who have had a toothache before, you know just how uncomfortable and painful it can be. Fortunately, there are a few at-home remedies that you can use to get rid of toothaches. Today, we’re going to look at seven of the most effective at-home treatments for toothaches. 

7. Painkillers

In many instances, toothaches are caused by temporary trauma to the tooth. If one of your teeth is painful or sensitive, it may be best to take painkillers. You can get over-the-counter medicine such as Ibuprofen to combat pain. 

6. Clove Oil

Clove is one of the best home remedies to treat toothaches because it has a natural pain killer – eugenol. Eugenol can reduce both inflammation and pain near the impacted tooth, relieving many of your symptoms. To effectively use clove oil, we recommend placing a few drops of clove oil on a Q-tip. From there, dab the aching tooth with the clove oil. 

5. Saltwater Rinse

One of the primary causes of toothaches is having food or debris stuck in the crevices of your teeth. Fortunately, a saltwater mix can effectively remove plaque and debris that is stuck in your mouth. We recommend preparing a saltwater rinse with eight ounces of warm water, mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. 

4. Garlic

Garlic has been around for centuries as an effective treatment for oral pain. Garlic is one of the most effective home remedies for toothaches because it contains allicin, a compound that fights harmful bacteria. To obtain the best results, we recommend crushing or mincing your garlic before use. 

3. Vanilla Tea

Vanilla is another proven method of dealing with toothaches. Vanilla tea can numb your mouth because it contains alcohol. As an added benefit, vanilla tea can hasten the healing process of your tooth because it contains antioxidants. 

2. Peppermint Tea

There are a wide variety of essentials oils found within peppermint tea, meaning it can numb the pain from your toothache. Additionally, peppermint tea has antibacterial properties because it contains menthol. You can drink peppermint tea straight up or use a Q-tip to carefully dab the tea on your tooth. 

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a naturally occurring plant, commonly known for its medicinal properties. Aloe is especially effective at treating toothaches because it has antibacterial properties that can soothe your tooth. Simply rub aloe vera gel on the impacted area of your mouth. 

Hopefully, after reading this post you will be able a few successful home remedies for toothaches. If these methods cease to work, it is important to contact a dentist. If they persist for a long time, toothaches can potentially signal a wide variety of oral problems. If your toothache is still lingering after a couple of days, you can reach out to us at Mountain View Dental At our dental office, you will be treated to a comfortable, professional experience, sure to leave you impressed.

The teeth and gums tend to go hand-to-hand like a hand to a glove. Possessing good dental health isn’t as hard as you may think, but it does take some effort to create a healthy smile. Brushing and flossing are key ways to maintain a healthy smile, but you must remain consistent. On the other hand, visiting your dentist throughout the year can be used for preventive measures in advance. One of the most common dental-health issues today is known as gingivitis or gum disease. This particular condition is basically the inflammation of gum tissue that comes via gum infection. These negative gum issues come in various types. 

Types of Gum Conditions

• Chronic periodontitis – the most common form of gum infection that’s comes from plaque buildup. This type of infection generally affects adults. The gums will tend to recede and bone loss is common.
  
  
• Aggressive periodontitis – generally affects family members, which manifests from a young age. A small number of people tend to suffer from this dental issue, but your heritage plays a heavy role.
  
  
• Necrotizing periodontitis disease – is simply the death of gum tissue. Thanks to a lack of blood supply to the gums, bone loss can be experienced. People who suffer from malnutrition or have specific infections may fall under this category.
  

Symptoms & What To Expect

If you just so happen to fall into one of the categories above, then you may be experiencing one or many negative symptoms. Of course, infections aren’t the most pleasant dental conditions to experience, but everyone is quite different with their day-to-day frustrations. Some of the negative issues that can come from these dental conditions are:

• Gums that easily bleed
  
• Puffy or swollen gums
  
• Pain when chewing
  
• Loose teeth
  
• Bright red or dusky red gums
  
• A change in the way your teeth feels when biting
  
• A receding gum line
  
• New gaps or spaces between the teeth
  
• And more
  

Where To Go & What To Do?

If you’re experiencing any one of these conditions, then you’ll definitely need to see your family dentist. Your dentist will provide a range of exams and treatments to fight this degrading disease. Mountain View Dental personifies this notion to the fullest thanks to its advanced technologies as well as its top-tier dental professionals. 

Mountain View Dental’s environment is very serene, and its staff is very friendly. Reversing the damage of gum infections is what we do, and we can provide other services such as extractions, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, teeth whitening and many more.