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Dr. Todd Corbitt

4405 Milestrip Rd. | Buffalo, NY 14219

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How Cold Weather Affects Your Teeth

woman in gray sweater and black hooded coat standing in snow smiling

It’s the season for sweaters and hot cocoa for much of the country, but the cold weather could affect more than just your wardrobe or beverage choices. Have you ever taken a deep breath in the winter air and felt a little ache in your teeth? This is tooth sensitivity caused by the cold weather, which is caused by a number of factors.

Gum Disease

When you have gum disease, your gums can separate from your teeth, exposing the root of the tooth. This causes extra sensitivity in your teeth that may be further exacerbated by breathing in the cold air.

Exposes Dentin & Weakened Enamel

When you grind or clench your teeth, you wear down the enamel on your teeth. This enamel protects the dentin in your teeth, which contains tubes that are connected to the nerves in your teeth. When the cold air hits the dentin and therefore your nerve endings, your teeth experience sensitivity and pain.

Similarly, when you experience gum recession, either from gingivitis or natural causes, you are at risk for tooth sensitivity. When gums recede, they separate from the tooth and expose the dentin and roots of your teeth to the cold air.

Dental Work

If you’ve recently had dental work, you may experience an increased tooth sensitivity from the cold air. This is because the tooth structure has been disturbed from getting a filling, crown, bridge, or root canal.

Sinus Pressure

If you are like most people, you usually come down with some type of sinus infection when the weather gets cold. When you experience sinus pressure, your sinuses swell and cause pain within the nasal cavity and throat and place pressure on the roots of your teeth.

To avoid this tooth sensitivity caused by the cold weather, try to breathe in and out through your nose and use your tongue, cheeks, and lips to insulate your teeth from the cold air. You can also use toothpaste or mouthwash made specifically to reduce tooth sensitivity. If your symptoms persist, you may want to consider calling us to schedule an exam.

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