Oral Health in Winter: 10 Common Dental Issues to Avoid

You probably know that winter's dropping temperatures, biting wind and drier air can wreak havoc on your skin. But did you know that the cold winter months can increase your likelihood of developing common dental problems?

With the harsh air and extremely low temperatures, oral health issues like tooth sensitivity can become even more uncomfortable, and other dental conditions can pop up during the blustery winter months.

Being aware of the winter oral health woes below — along with practicing good oral hygiene — may help you keep your mouth healthy throughout the winter season and all year long.

1. Cold Sores

Cold sores, which form around the outside of your mouth and lips, are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV). You might develop more of these in the winter because the cold, dry weather can leave your skin more vulnerable.¹

Prevention tips

• Use a scarf to help protect the lower part of your face from the cold winter wind.¹
• To help minimize cold sore breakouts in winter weather, keep your lips and the area around your mouth moisturized and use lip balm.¹
• Get plenty of sleep and try to manage your stress.²

When to see a doctor or dentist

If your cold sores don't go away after two to three weeks, cause difficulty eating or drinking, are near your eyes, look infected or recur frequently, see your healthcare provider. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help.²

2. Canker Sores

Canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers) are open wounds inside your mouth. These tiny wounds can show up in a variety of spots — your gums, your tongue, your cheeks. They can appear at any time of year and may be worsened by stress, nutritional deficiencies or even acidic foods like lemons. So while the weather itself may not make you more prone to getting canker sores, getting more stressed during the holidays might leave you vulnerable.¹

Prevention tips

• Canker sores can be aggravated by exposure to acidic foods, so avoiding these is a good idea.¹
• Some medications like ibuprofen can lead to canker sores, so talk to your dentist about avoiding these if you're prone.¹
• Rinse your mouth with salt water.²

When to see a doctor or dentist

If your canker sores don't start to heal on their own, frequently recur, are very large or cause you extreme discomfort, see your dentist.²

3. Chapped or Cracked Lips

It's hard to avoid exposing your mouth to wind, cold and sun while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities in winter. But cooler weather can quickly dry the thin skin on your lips, causing them to become chapped or cracked.³

Prevention tips

These tips can help prevent chapped lips in the cold winter months:³

• Soothe dry, cracked lips by applying nonirritating lipstick or lip balm several times a day and right before bed.
• Look for lip balm ingredients like hemp seed oil, mineral oil and petroleum jelly, as well as an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Avoid ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus, flavorings, salicylic acid and camphor, as these may further irritate chapped lips.
• Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.
• Don't lick or pick at your lips.
• Don't hold metal objects like paper clips or jewelry to your lips, as these can be irritating.
• Use a humidifier to moisten the air around you.

When to see a doctor or dentist

If your chapped lips don't heal on their own after using lip balm, see your healthcare provider. You might be dealing with an allergic reaction or something more serious.³

4. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) is a common issue in the winter.⁴ Less moisture in the air from dry winter winds or dry indoor heat can lead to less saliva production, which can leave your mouth feeling dry.⁵ And since saliva is also great at keeping germs away, you may have worse oral health if your mouth is dry in the winter.⁵

Prevention tips

• Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth hydrated. This helps your body produce saliva and wash away food particles, reducing bacteria in your mouth.⁶
• Use a humidifier to increase moisture in the air.⁴
• Avoid caffeinated beverages that can dry your mouth.⁴
• Avoid breathing through your mouth, which exposes your teeth to more cold.⁷

When to see a doctor or dentist

If your dry mouth is making it uncomfortable to eat or swallow and over-the-counter remedies don't seem to help, see your dentist. Your doctor can give you medication to stimulate your saliva production.⁴

5. Tooth Sensitivity

Colder temperatures can increase tooth sensitivity to cold and heat, or worsen underlying problems that may be causing tooth pain.⁷ This can happen for a variety of reasons:⁵

• The cells in your teeth contract from the cold, exposing nerves that are already fragile from cavities.
• A dry mouth can leave your teeth more sensitive.
• Sinus inflammation can get worse in the cold.
• If your gums have receded, the cold may be hitting sensitive roots.⁸

Prevention tips

• Use a toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth.⁷
• Use a fluoride mouthwash at least once a day to help protect sensitive parts of your teeth.⁷
• Don't brush your teeth too hard and use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which is easier on your teeth.⁷

When to see a doctor or dentist

If you're noticing tooth sensitivity, tell your dentist. They can check for anything that may be causing the sensitivity or recommend toothpaste or other treatments to help.⁶

6. Gum Infection

Winter colds and flu can weaken your immune system as it works to fight off those illnesses.⁹ That leaves the door open for bacteria in your gums to grow almost unchecked, sometimes leading to gum infection and inflammation.⁹ Also, periodontal disease (aka gum disease) is enough all on its own to cause your teeth to feel extra sensitive to the cold.⁸

Prevention tips

To help ward off gum infections, make sure you practice good dental care at home. This includes brushing at least twice a day and getting regular dental checkups.⁹

Don't forget to floss. Flossing can help stimulate your gums and prevent further recession.⁷

7. Jaw Pain

Cold weather can cause your joints and muscles to tighten up — and that includes the ones in your jaw area. If you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, this can make the problem harder to manage.¹⁰

In addition, even if you don't have TMJ disorder, you might still find yourself grinding your teeth more when you're stressed or not sleeping enough (which can happen during the holidays). This can lead to jaw pain and tooth sensitivity.⁸

Prevention tips

To improve jaw discomfort or TMJ disorder in the winter, try these steps:¹⁰

• Keep warm and consider a scarf or other covering to help keep your jaw area toasty.
• Stay hydrated.
• Stretch your jaw muscles regularly.
• Don't chew gum because this can make TMJ pain worse.
• Work out regularly or do yoga to keep the blood flowing.

When to see a doctor or dentist

If your jaw pain is serious and causing you a lot of discomfort, see your dentist. They can double-check the cause of your pain and help provide treatment options to minimize your discomfort.¹⁰

8. Cracked Teeth

In the winter, your teeth may expand and contract when exposed to hot and cool beverages and the weather.⁵ This can cause cracking over time.⁷ You may not even notice smaller hairline cracks until the colder weather hits.⁷

The pain you feel from a cracked tooth (which causes more structural damage than simply chipping your tooth) is referred to as cracked tooth syndrome. It includes feeling pain when you bite down, experiencing gum swelling or experiencing sensitivity to heat and cold.¹¹

Prevention tips

You can help reduce your chances of cracking your teeth with these tips:¹¹

• Don't bite down on popcorn kernels, ice or other extra hard objects.
• Wear a mouthguard if you're in contact sports.
• Get a nighttime mouthguard if you grind your teeth while you sleep.
• Get cavities filled.

When to see a doctor or dentist

If you suspect you might have a cracked tooth, see your dentist. They can repair cracks or, for more severe cases, refer you to a specialist. This is important because, over time, cracked teeth can get worse and lead to more serious issues.¹¹

9. Tooth Decay and Cavities

Do people really get more cavities in the winter? The answer is complicated. If you're more likely to eat extra sweets during the cold months, then yes, you're more likely to get cavities, too.⁵

Previously mild toothaches can also get worse from the cold weather, making you feel like you're developing more decay.⁸ This happens because cold air causes your teeth to contract, which puts extra pressure on your nerves.⁵

Even fillings might start hurting again, whether or not they're actually cracking. In the winter, metal fillings in particular respond quickly to temperature changes, so you're more likely to feel the biting effects of the cold.⁵

If your fillings or teeth start to ache, see a dentist, just in case. Over time, your dental fillings can become defective and leak or crack. If this happens, it's time to get a new filling and, sometimes, even a crown.⁸

10. Angular Cheilitis

Angular cheilitis refers to a mouth sore that many people mistake for a cold sore. The corners of your mouth become inflamed, developing cracked skin and even fissures. The problem can be caused by excess saliva, aging, nutritional deficiencies, drier skin and even colder weather.¹²

Prevention tips

These tips can help cut down on recurrences:¹²

• Use an emollient moisturizer on the corner of your lips.
• Talk to your doctor or dentist about whether an antifungal or hydrocortisone cream might help.
• Ask about orthodontics that might prevent saliva from pooling at the corners of your mouth.

More Tips for Winter Dental Care

While many of the following steps are important all year, they can be particularly beneficial in warding off winter-time dental woes.

Visit your dentist and consider fluoride treatments

Visit your dentist regularly for a checkup and cleaning, so any problems that may be developing can be identified early and treated effectively.⁶

Practice good oral hygiene

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.⁹
• Avoid aggressively brushing your teeth, as this can actually lead to gum recession.⁸
• Floss your teeth daily.⁹
• Pay attention to your gums. Receding gums can expose sensitive roots that hurt more in the cold air.⁸
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months and after you've been sick, so you don't reinfect yourself.⁶
• Rinse your brush after each use and store it upright so it can dry.⁶

Stay hydrated

Drinking lots of water in the winter helps you stay hydrated, which in turn makes sure your body produces enough saliva to keep your mouth healthy.⁶

Protect your neck and face

Keep your face and neck warm with hoodies, turtlenecks and scarves. These can help guard your mouth from frigid cold wind, which can set off sensitivities.⁵

Protect your teeth

If you play winter sports like hockey, invest in a mouthguard to protect your teeth.⁶ You can buy a basic version at a grocery store or get a special custom-made one from your dentist.⁶ If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist for a nighttime mouthguard.¹¹

Limit sugary treats

It's the most wonderful time of the year, so of course, you're going to want to eat lots of holiday treats, like candies, cookies and dessert. But that extra sugar can leave you in danger of bacteria growth and tooth decay. Limit your sugary treats, and rinse your mouth with warm water after eating to help neutralize and remove sugars.⁵

Limit hot chocolate and other warm beverages

If your teeth are sensitive, be careful with warm drinks like hot chocolate or even hot soups. Heat warms the outer layer of your teeth, which causes your tooth cells to expand. This change can also impact your nerves and cause sensitivity. So don't drink hot chocolate, hot toddies, tea or even soup until you've let it cool down a bit. And if you really want to drink it extra hot, just take it slow.⁵

Use a humidifier

Use a humidifier in your bedroom at night to help cut down on the dry air. This can help keep your skin and mouth from drying out quite so much.¹

The Bottom Line

Good oral hygiene is an important step to keeping your teeth and gums healthy — and preventing other health issues — all year long and especially in the cold winter months. Keep up with your regular dental visits and contact your dentist if you experience any oral health issues.

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn’t cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney and writer.