Lip Problems
Seven Rules for Preventing Lip Problems
When it gets particularly cold or dry outside, many of us soon find that we develop some unpleasant lip problems. Lip problems can be very mundane and unimportant or they can really become a nuisance if left untreated. Not to mention that there is nothing that will make you more insecure than interacting with friends or colleagues when you know you have some sort of an unsightly sore on your lip.
So what are some of the main actions you can take in order to avoid getting unsightly and unhealthy lip problems?
Rule No. 1, 2 and 3: Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
One of the main reasons that people begin to have lip problems is because they did not properly moisturize their lips in the first place. As the weather changes, our lips are forced to adjust to the changing climate. Just like a desert surface will crack when the moisture is removed from it, so will our lips. For this reason, it is important to always carry some sort of lip moisturizer or balm with you.
Here’s a quick test to see if you need a lip moisturizer right now:
Open your mouth really wide as if you are at the dentist's office.
Do you have the flexibility to do this?
Do you feel the strain at the corners of your mouth, as if they are about to crack?
Do they actually crack and start to bleed?
You should be able to open your mouth wide without any discomfort to your lips and you should never have to worry about cracking or bleeding. That is the assurance that well moisturized lips give you.
Rule #4: Treat Lip Biting
If you tend to bite your lip, try to break yourself of this habit. Like thumb sucking and nail biting, this is a nasty habit you really should leave in your past. Sure, seeing others bite their lip gently in anticipation can be really sexy once in a while, but not if the person’s lip looks like your cat’s chew toy.
A good way of getting yourself to stop is to give your mouth something else to do in those moments of boredom when you are most likely to engage in this activity. Gum or lollipops are good for this end.
Rule #5: Treat Underlying Dental Problems
Sometimes the reason why people develop lip problems is because of underlying dental problems that have gone untreated. Cavities can help build up bacteria in the mouth, not to mention that the lips themselves can come into contact with sharp edges. Some forms of gum disease may also affect the lips.
Be sure to visit your dentist regularly.
Rule #6: Be careful what you put in your mouth!
This should be pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people use their mouths for unorthodox methods. Put simply, don’t open bottles with your teeth, or lick your fingers to clean them off. If you have reactions to certain foods or they dry your lips out, simply avoid them when possible, or if not possible, be sure to moisturize right afterwards.
Rule #7: Careful with human contact! Kissers beware!
There are certain lip diseases transmitted by human contact and that can be seen on the lips. If you’re a flirty person, you may want to avoid kissing or your lips may do the telling.
Also, on a more serious note, the oral and genital types of the herpes virus now have become virtually indistinguishable, so with one out of five Americans carrying at least one version of the virus, be careful who you kiss or with whom you engage in oral sex. If after such contact, you develop sores on your lips and mouth, do some research and consult a doctor.
Finally, lips are an important both aesthetic and health inducing part of the body. Take good care of them and they will take good care of you!