As I type, my body responds instinctively to the cold, unforgiving Midwest winter. My jaw clenches; my arms shivers. Don’t be fooled. I am indoors, working in a heated environment. And yet, I can not rid myself of the chill that permeates all over. It seems, even my teeth are cold. Wait a second. Is that a thing? Can the weather affect teeth? Absolutely.
Think of it this way: if you put a water bottle in a freezer, it contracts and expands. Similarly, when exposed to cold temperatures, your teeth contract and expand too. This can irritate or inflame the nerves, which is why you aren’t crazy when you could swear your teeth hurt on the chilliest days!
When the top layers of tooth enamel are thinned over time, especially in adults, the nerves are more exposed, making teeth susceptible to temperature sensitivity. In addition, the sinus congestions and colds that plague many through the winter months put extra pressure on the sinuses and upper teeth, causing greater reactivity and pain.
I’d like to think the solution is to fly immediately to a Caribbean Island. And that would certainly do the trick. But more realistically, you can start by unclenching your teeth in response to facing the cold as you leave a building or your home. You can wear a scarf, practice nose breathing, or try out one of many desensitizing toothpaste options. Trust me, it will be Spring in no time.