Winter Lip Care

It’s been some bitterly cold few weeks for much of the country and there’s more still to come, which is why we at Elite Dental Arts in Midtown want to ensure our patients are taking care of their lips and other soft oral tissues. Cold air has a low moisture content, which is why chapping is more common and conditions such as dry mouth are worse during the winter.

Lip balm is useful for locking in moisture and dentists recommend that people apply it several times a day, including before they go to sleep. However, some ingredients in lip balm, most notably menthol and fragrances, cause some people to experience irritation. If your lips get red and swollen, check your lip balm’s label and switch to a different product.

While indoors, keep humidifiers in the bedroom and workspaces. Do not attempt to keep the lips moist by licking them or taking long showers—evaporation actually causes them to dry out faster. It also irritates the lips to hold them under the teeth, and doing so frequently can disrupt the teeth’s position. For dry mouth, there are throat moisturizers available, and if it is being caused by a breathing issue, our oral appliances may be able to help.

To learn more about Invisalign and all the services we provide at our practice, visit Elite Dental Arts for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Nick Mobilia of Elite Dental Arts here in New York, NY, call our office at 212-681-0939. 

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS
ELITE DENTAL ARTS
9 East 45th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10017