Good oral health involves taking care of more than just our teeth and gums. Between shoveling snow and fighting off colds, we often forget the simple measures needed to protect our lips. With the temperature dropping and serious winter weather setting in, this is the time of year when we all experience chapped lips. Thankfully, your Livonia dentist, Dr. James Stewart, is here with some tips on how to winterize your lips.
Why Do Our Lips Get Chapped?
When the cold arrives and the winter winds begin to blow, moisture evaporates from our lips. While sometimes chapped lips are little more than an unattractive nuisance, they can soon become cracked and painful. Our lips don’t have any natural means of producing moisture, and almost nothing to protect them from the cold. The good news is, you can take a few simple precautions to safeguard your lips this winter.
What You Can Do
In addition to being good for your health, drinking water hydrates your body and can help your lips stay moist. Lip moisturizers are also very popular. Just be sure to find a brand that contains either Shea butter or beeswax. The wind isn’t the only harsh element for your lips. Sun can be very damaging, which is why using a little sunblock or lip balm with at least SPF 15 is highly recommended. Finally, gently exfoliating your lips with your toothbrush can remove dead skin cells and keep lips smooth looking.
What to Avoid
You should avoid licking your lips at all costs. This is usually the first thing people do when their lips feel dry, but the process of saliva drying actually takes more moisture from lips, leaving them even drier. Women tend to assume lipstick can work as a lip balm substitute, but unless your brand of lip color contains moisturizer, lipstick only makes chapped, dry lips worse.
To Complete Your Smile
Don’t forget to attend regular checkups with your Livonia dentist, Dr. Stewart. Keeping your lips healthy and smooth is just part of maintaining a beautiful smile. From the latest cosmetic treatments to advanced restorative dentistry, Dr. Stewart and our team have the resources and knowledge to transform your smile. With our focus on preventive care, we watch for signs of developing problems like tooth decay and gum disease, then prescribe treatment to save patients from costly procedures later in life. Dr. Stewart offers excellent children’s dentistry for his youngest patients, providing care and treatment for your entire family.
Make an Appointment with Your Livonia Dentist Today
Interested in protecting your teeth and gums, as well as your lips? Dr. Stewart is here to help you with your comprehensive dentistry. Contact our 48154 dentist office. Schedule an appointment today by calling (734) 425-4400. We serve patients from Livonia, Farmington, Farmington Hills, and surrounding areas.