Lip Care in Winter

With more winter weather to look forward to, we at Bridge Smiles Dental Group want to make sure our patients, and especially, those wearing braces, know how to care for their lips. Cold air cannot retain much moisture and high winds make some chapping likely, but there are precautions which can reduce the risk of irritation to the mouth’s soft tissues.

Outside, the only real option is to keep a scarf wrapped tightly around the face, but inside, you can make some modifications to the environment. It’s a good idea to have a humidifier in the bedroom and anywhere else you need to spend a long time. Avoid hot, long showers, since they dry the skin out faster. Applying lip balm several times a day, including before bed is helpful as long as you’re not allergic to the ingredients. If your lips get red and swollen after applying the balm, check the ingredients for menthol and switch products.

Since the air is drier this time of year, people who suffer from dry mouth are going to be particularly at risk. Any sort of breathing issue which could be contributing to dryness needs to be investigated. Avoid wetting the lips with saliva, since saliva evaporates quickly, taking more moisture with it. If you have braces and are suffering from irritation, they should apply dental wax to their brackets in large quantities. Do not attempt to protect the lips by folding them under the teeth, as this will further inflame them and may cause tooth migration.

Drs. Meghadri and Grewal run Bridge Smiles Dental Group at 820 US Hwy 202 North Neshanic Station, NJ, and 15 North Bridge St. Somerville, NJ. To schedule an appointment, visit Bridge Smiles Dental.