Inside your mouth, you have many teeth, a tongue, gum tissues, gingival tissues lining inner cheeks and the roof of your mouth, and a healthy flow of saliva. Outside your mouth are those things we call lips, and they are a part of your oral health as well. When you are examined by a dentist at a checkup, your lips are part of the process. Oral cancer signs can start on your outer mouth. Unfortunately, if your lips chap, crack, and bleed every time you pucker up, it’s hard to tell if they are completely healthy. There are ways to make sure your lip tissue remains smooth, pliant, moist, and healthy so that you feel and look great when you smile.
Avoid Chapped Lips
Chapped lips can happen any time of the year, though more inclement weather tends to dry lips out. In the summer, the hot sun beating down on any part of your skin can cause burns and damage. You’re more likely to become dehydrated when you are out in the sun and don’t drink enough water. Dehydration compromises the health of your lips. Believe it or not, very cold weather can be equally dehydrating. Don’t make the mistake of only drinking coffee and cocoa all winter long. Even if you’re freezing, water is a necessity for a healthy body, healthy mouth, and healthy lips. Also, avoid the urge to lick your lips when they are chapped, as that only makes them dry out more.
Chapped Lip Remedies
When dealing with chronically chapped lips, don’t merely apply lip balm to tissue that is cracked and flaking off. Don’t pull at the loose skin either, as this can be painful and cause bleeding and a longer healing time. Instead, exfoliate with a salt or sugar scrub and a clean toothbrush. As for a soothing ointment following exfoliation, stick to natural options. Some lip balms contain ingredients which will actually dry your lips out further. Shea butter, coconut butter, beeswax, and almond oil based balms tend to be the best. You can also apply actual oils like coconut, jojoba, or olive oil. And, when you come in to visit Dr. Engelberg, you’ll have your choice of complimentary chapsticks to take home with you.
Visit your Winettka Cosmetic Dentist
You can reach our 60093 dentist office at 847-259-8030. We are happy to serve patients in Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, Northwest Chicago Suburbs, and Northern Chicago Suburbs.
