During the cold weather months, illnesses and ailments increase across the board. Coughs, colds, flus, and stomach trouble from poorly prepared holiday food are at a yearlong high. Oral issues are no exception. Your teeth, jaw, and gums are more susceptible to pain when the weather outside is frightful.

Your teeth are used to your regular body temperature at around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s not unusual to experience a small amount of pain or discomfort when cold weather has arrived. When that pain lasts longer than a few days, you know you might be dealing with some other underlying issue. If you’re experiencing oral pain, make sure to set up an appointment with OM Dental, best dentist in New Britain. Our experienced dental professionals will help uncover the root of your pain and select a plan to treat it. Here are some ways to prevent oral pain induced by the cold weather.

• Breathe in cold air through your nose. Cold air breathed in through your mouth can affect the sensitive areas of your teeth near the gumline.

• Avoid clenching your jaw. When we get cold, often we’ll tense up to stay warm. Clenching your jaw can cause jaw pain, tooth pain, and a number of other issues. Gritting your teeth can cause tooth erosion and painful cracks. Bundle up when the weather is cold to prevent involuntary clenching. Your teeth will thank you for it, and your toes!

• Take care of your sinuses. The respiratory issues that many folks face during the cold weather can create the illusion of tooth pain. Pain from inflamed sinuses can go into your nasal cavity and your throat which you may mistake for tooth pain. Even if you don’t suffer from seasonal allergies, sudden changes in the weather can cause illness and allergy-like symptoms. Be prepared for those temperature drops!

• Try toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Brushing with a fluoride-based toothpaste may help alleviate your tooth pain during the cold season.

Even if you practice these habits, sometimes tooth pain in cold weather is just unavoidable. Your teeth will contract when it gets cold outside. Sudden drops in temperature may cause the sensitive dentin layer of your teeth to contract faster than the outer enamel layer. This can create cracks. These cracks won’t necessarily affect the structure of your teeth, but they can certainly be painful.

If pain from the cold lasts longer than three days, you may be facing other oral problems. Cracked teeth, receding gums, cavities, oral infections, bite problems, fillings that don’t fit anymore, worn down crowns and bridges, tooth grinding, jaw clenching, and exposed roots can all be the cause of your cold weather problems. Contact us at OM Dental today if your cold weather aches and pains haven’t receded after 3 days.

Don’t suffer in silence if you’re experiencing tooth pain. Make an appointment with us at OM Dental, the best dentist in New Britain, and we’ll help you figure out the cause of your pain. We have expertise in many areas of dentistry, including periodontal therapy, implant dentistry, and oral surgery. To learn more about the range of dental services we offer, visit our website at http:/omdentalllc.com/.