Unfortunately, this scorching heat that has been sweeping our country, which, it seems, will last for a long time this year, giving us no respite, also brings risks and inconveniences for both our general and oral health. So much so that, for some years now, even the Ministry of Health has been issuing directions and guidelines to try to avoid problems (info here: https://www.salute.gov.it/new/it/tema/ondate-di-calore/)
But, from a dental point of view, how does heat affect teeth and gums? As was well pointed out a few years ago in an article by Professors Alessandra Majorana and Elena Bardellini, professors at the University of Brescia, the scorching temperatures of these days lead primarily to a dehydration of our body and therefore also of the oral mucous membranes, which is accompanied by a reduction in the flow of saliva and thus to the phenomenon of Xerostomia, that is, dry mouth.
Xerostomia that has several direct effects on the oral cavity, such as principles of oral mucosal and tissue atrophy, dryness and thinning of mucous membranes, especially in the elderly and frail people, with possible more or less widespread ulceration of gingival tissues.
Again due to too much heat, the bacterial flora of the mouth ecosystem can also be altered: thus we see more infections, such as candida A, or overinfections of oral lesions with clinical and symptomatological pictures that worsen (especially in patients with chronic ulcerative diseases of the oral mucosa). Many patients also complain of severe episodes of gingivitis, which are much more troublesome precisely during periods of excessive heat.
There are, then, the problems related to nutrition. While the same ministerial indications, the media, nutritionists, General Practitioners, pediatricians, geriatricians and other medical figures strongly recommend drinking and eating fruits and vegetables, on the other hand, there is an increase in lesions in different forms – erythema, stomatitis, redness, small scattered ulcerations on oral mucous membranes… – attributable to food intolerances to certain types of fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes and strawberries), or due to drinks or supplements taken in hot weather.
Teeth, however, also suffer from 35-plus degrees: the high temperatures we are subjected to these days can increase the formation of odontogenic abscesses on previously treated, medicated or decayed elements, and especially during the deciduous permutation phase in children.
Another aspect to keep in mind are the risks associated with activities that are practiced outdoors during summer and vacation periods, such as bicycle rides, hiking and climbing in the mountains, bathing and beach games, which increase dento-alveolar trauma.
So what advice can be given? Definitely drink, hydrate, select foods to make sure you are not intolerant, take care of your oral hygiene scrupulously, check the health of your teeth, gums and mucous membranes. It is best, then, to leave for vacation only after visiting with your dental hygienist or dentist. A final recommendation especially for patients taking medications: evaluate, with the help of your primary care physician, the effects that medications may have on the oral cavity especially when, in intense heat, salivary flow is reduced.
C.I.D. s.r.l. Società a Socio Unico – Casa editrice del settimanale Gente Veneta – CF e PI 02341300271 – REA: VE – 211669 – Capitale Sociale 31.000 euro i.v. – Dorsoduro,1 – 30123 Venezia
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