With school back in session and the leaves starting to take on the color of fall, the countdown to winter is officially underway. And, December 21 will be here before we know it. This means it is time to start thinking about everything we need to do to prepare our homes and ourselves for the colder months. Thankfully, the team at MASC Dental Studio has taken some notes over the years and put together this helpful list of winter weather tips. We hope you’ll find it as beneficial as we do.

Winter weather tips to get started on.

We know that winter is coming. And with the holidays approaching, too, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with so many competing priorities. Look at this list of winter weather tips we have compiled for our patients. We think that this list will not only make winter preparation easier but it might also make the winter months more enjoyable.

1. Get your house in order.

Depending on the age of your home, there are certain things you might need to do before the cold weather sets in. Winter checklist items like caulking and sealing around the windows, checking the operation of the heating and air conditioning units, checking your drainage, cleaning your gutters, checking your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and shutting down sprinkler systems are easier to do before the snow falls and before those freezing temperatures arrive. Need help getting your house ready for the winter? Conduct a search on Yelp for handyman services in Friendship Heights, or try Thumbtack to find reputable helpers near you.

2. Get your car ready.

It’s too late to get your car ready for winter once the snow is flying and the temperatures have dropped. Instead of waiting until the last minute, use the time during October and early November to prepare your car for the coming cold season. Check the tire tread and schedule an appointment for new tires if it is low. Check the tire pressure and make sure it is adequate for safe operation. Consider snow tires if you live in an area where it is warranted. Change your oil and antifreeze, and make sure the levels are topped off. Make sure your heater is fully operational, and ensure your battery is ready to face another winter.

3. Come up with a winter exercise routine.

During the winter months, we tend to lose motivation to exercise. But this is the worst time to adopt a sedentary lifestyle, especially when sodium-rich soups and comfort foods tend to grace our dinner tables more often than not. So, get ahead of the game by coming up with some winter activities that can help keep you motivated and burn those calories. Invest in some exercise equipment or look at some weight routines you can try at home. Get the supplies now so that you aren’t trying to find them online when everyone else is trying to buy them as Christmas gifts for others.

4. Start dreaming of a white Christmas with this hot cocoa recipe.

Come up with something new for your family to try during the holiday season. Maybe this year try a new hot cocoa recipe after a day at the park, sledding down the hills, and feeling the wind on your face and in your hair. One of our favorites is this Food Network Holiday Hot Chocolate made with milk, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt. Another favorite is this hot chocolate in a jar recipe. Let us know your favorite at your next appointment with MASC Dental Studio.

5. Know what to do in case of a dental emergency.

It should be no surprise that your chances of a trip and fall (or a slip and fall) increase during the winter months, especially if you live in an area where ice is likely. And, where there is ice, there are likely to be dental injuries. When an accidental fall happens and dental trauma results, you need to know what to do.

Learn how to take care of yourself or a loved one after a dental injury so that you can prevent complications. Remember, too, that emergency dental care exists for a reason. Even if your dentist’s office isn’t open when the injury occurs, their voicemail or answering service will usually provide instructions on who to call or where to go.

Get your dental cleaning before winter arrives.

If you are due for a dental cleaning now or you have let too much time pass since your last cleaning, why not schedule your next dental appointment now? The fall is an excellent time for a dental cleaning and oral examination. It allows your dentist to look at your mouth to identify any problem areas and suggest a treatment plan before the cold weather, snow, and ice arrives. 

This means less risk of toothache or tooth pain when it is cold and travel isn’t quite as easy. So if the time for your dental cleaning is now, add scheduling a dental appointment to your list of winter weather tips. Request an appointment with MASC Dental Studio in Washington, DC, today.