Dr. Bhavneet Kaur
Winter may be a wonderland for many: the cool breeze and the beauty of snow clad mountains can be a refreshing experience but it may also be a time of illness and injury if people fail to take adequate health and safety precautions. It is imperative to understand that with the changing seasons our body gets exposed to many physical and environmental changes. For few of these changes our body gets adapted to, but for the rest we need to prepare it to fight against the odds.
Winter brings with it some of its own health challenges. Remember our oral health is closely connected with our overall health and so it becomes essential for us to realise the effects of the changing seasons on our oral health as well. Read the six tips given below to know how best to take care of your oral health in this winter to avoid contracting illnesses:
1.Follow a healthy regime- Most important is that you should never underestimate the power of regular home dental care. To increase your overall immunity you need to be following the regular oral care meticulously. Don’t be lazy. Make sure you brush your teeth at least two times a day and always take time to brush your teeth, your gums and tongue to build up resistance against diseases of fluctuation. Quickening of a brushing routine due to excessive cold is an excuse which will never help rather lead to many other dental problems. Remember mouth is the index of your body and a clean mouth can help in keeping your immunity against diseases high.
2. Change your tooth-brush- It has been observed that during winters the episodes of diseases like cold/ flu increases. One way to avoid getting sick is to be careful in following hygienic oral care regimen. When you’ve been sick, get a new toothbrush. This helps to prevent contracting illnesses. Studies show that once sick our toothbrushes if not replaced may become a recurrent source of infection so once you’ve gotten over the cold or flu, you should get a new toothbrush to avoid getting sick again otherwise there is a risk of re- infecting yourself every time you clean your teeth. In addition do not forget to replace your toothbrushes every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles appear worn or damaged.
3. Protect your lips- Dry air and colder temperatures can be harsh for your lips. Dry chapped lips are most commonly seen during winters. Lips possess an extremely thin encasement and few oil-producing glands. The skin onto lips scarcity oil glands thus tends towards getting dry. This can further aggravate ulcers, eruptions e.t.c. Use a SPF based lip balm to keep your lips moisturised and safe from the powerful UV rays during winters and remember not to share lip balms with your friends so as to stay away from infections. Along with keeping lip balm handy, staying hydrated internally is also a key for having soft, supple and healthy lips. So don’t forget to drink several glasses of water per day even in the winter months.
4. Bin the smoking habit- As winters set in many people refute to smoking / tobacco use to beat the chill but never let the cold outside be an excuse for burning your system inside. It should be always remembered that Tobacco use (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, Paan, Zarda, Paan Masala and smokeless tobacco) is responsible for most cases of oral cancer. Recognise that the use of tobacco is by far the greatest risk factor for oral cancer. Do not chew tobacco and stop use of cigarettes, cigars or pipes if you want to prevent mouth cancer. Regardless of how long you have used tobacco products, stopping now can greatly reduce serious risks to your health. Even reducing the amount you smoke appears to help. Studies have found that smokers who reduced their smoking habit significantly lower the risk of developing gum disease and mouth cancers. To stop using tobacco, your dentist or doctor may be able to help you calm nicotine cravings with medications.
5. Play safe- Winters brings with it the craze of winter sports. Many people participate in winter sports each year including skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating and hockey. These sports are thrilling and fun for all ages, but high speeds and slippery surfaces can lead to serious injuries. So don’t forget to wear a helmet as well as a good fitting mouth guard to prevent any injury while playing. The whole idea of wearing a mouth guard is to provide a cushion effect thereby protecting your teeth and reducing the impact of trauma to the surrounding tissues.
6. Visit your dentist regularly- Tooth sensitivity is tooth discomfort after eating cold or hot foods or liquids or even breathing cold air. For many people drinking too hot drinks or even breathing cold air in winters becomes traumatic experience as it may initiate pain. Tooth sensitivity can be due to various reasons. To get relief from it is important to know the exact etiology and then to treat it accordingly. So let the cold weather outside never be a reason to skip the visit to a dentist.
