I've noticed the same thing about alcohol-based mouthwashes. My gums used to feel super irritated and almost raw after using them, especially in winter when everything's already dry. Switching to alcohol-free was a game changer for me too—way less discomfort and sensitivity overall.
About the stannous fluoride toothpaste, my dentist actually recommended it for my daughter when she turned around 6 or 7. She said as long as kids can reliably spit it out, it's usually fine. But we did notice some mild staining after a few months of regular use. It wasn't anything major, just a slight discoloration that came right off at her next cleaning. Still, it was enough to make us switch back to regular fluoride toothpaste for now.
One thing I'm curious about though—has anyone else noticed their gums reacting differently depending on the season or weather? I swear mine get way more sensitive and irritated during colder months, even when I'm careful with what products I use. Wondering if that's just me or if it's a common thing...
"has anyone else noticed their gums reacting differently depending on the season or weather?"
Actually, yeah... I've noticed my gums get way more sensitive when it's cold and dry outside. Wonder if indoor heating and dry air play a role—anyone tried using a humidifier and noticed a difference?
I've definitely noticed something similar with my kid—every winter his gums seem redder and more irritated. At first, I thought it was just him brushing too hard, but now I'm wondering if dry air could be the culprit. Humidifiers do help a bit with congestion and skin issues, so maybe they'd ease gum discomfort too? Has anyone else seen improvements after changing toothpaste or mouthwash during colder months...or is that just wishful thinking on my part?
I've wondered about this too—my gums always seem more sensitive in winter. Maybe it's a combo of dry air and toothpaste ingredients? I switched to a gentler toothpaste last year and noticed a slight improvement, but honestly, it could've been coincidence. Have you tried toothpaste without SLS or alcohol-free mouthwash yet? Might be worth experimenting a bit...either way, you're definitely not alone in noticing seasonal gum weirdness.
I've noticed the same thing—winter dryness definitely plays a role. Switching to toothpaste without SLS helped me personally, but what really made a difference was adding a humidifier in my bedroom at night. Dry air can seriously irritate gums, and keeping moisture levels up can ease that sensitivity quite a bit. Might be worth giving it a shot if you haven't already...small changes can sometimes make a surprising difference.
