Keep Smiling Through the Winter Blues

Even a relatively mild Kansas City winter has more than its share of gloomy days. When the weather turns cold and the days get short and dark, it’s sometimes difficult to stick to our daily routines, and that includes our good oral care habits. There’s a silver lining to every cloud, though! Even in winter we can find reasons to smile and keep our spirits up. As we count down to the official arrival of spring on March 19, let’s stay focused on maintaining our health and happiness by making good choices and sticking to our healthy routines. Your Kansas City family dentist can help!

The Importance of Routine:

When it gets cold and dreary outside, many of us want to hibernate. Unfortunately, that can make it all too easy to neglect the things we normally do for our health every day. Taking care of your teeth and gums doesn’t become any less important just because the weather is bad. It’s still vital that you brush twice a day, floss once a day, and, of course, make regular visits to your Kansas City family dentist for check-ups!

Practical Tips for Oral Health During Winter:

One key to staying upbeat during the cold winter months is to safeguard your health. With cold and flu season in full swing, it’s especially important to stay healthy and safe where you can, and that includes taking good care of your oral health. This goes beyond caring for your teeth and gums, though. Good oral health includes everything from lip care to nutrition and hydration.

Hydration is especially important all year round, but during the winter months, it becomes even more vital. Cold weather dries you out, as does running the furnace, so it’s especially important to drink plenty of water when the temperature drops. By the same token, cold winter winds can lead to chapped lips, so it’s a good idea to use a moisturizing lip balm.

Comfort foods call out to many of us when the temperature drops, but don’t forget to eat nutritious, balanced meals, including plenty of healthy, crunchy fruits and vegetables that can act as “nature’s toothbrush” to help clean your teeth as you eat.

Embracing the Outdoors for Overall Health:

So far this year, we’ve enjoyed a warmer than usual winter here in Kansas City, which gives us all a perfect opportunity to boost our mood and overall health by getting outside and enjoying some fresh air and sunshine. Taking a walk in the park with the dogs or enjoying a lunch outside with friends can do wonders for your spirit and your overall health—but that’s not all!

Physical activity helps to reduce stress, which reduces the likelihood of oral health issues such as grinding or clenching your teeth, just for starters. Your oral health and your overall health are tightly connected, so anything that helps one is bound to help the other. Remember, whether it’s a beautiful sunny day or we’re in the grips of another cold snap, Old Man Winter won’t be around forever! With each passing day, we get one step closer to spring, so let’s make the most of the season by keeping our smiles bright and our bodies active!

Whether you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity as a result of the cold weather, want advice on which lip balms to use, or simply need to schedule your next appointment to see your Kansas City family dentist, Blacker Family Dental in Kansas City, MO is here for you. Call us at (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment today!