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Seasonal allergies are a widespread problem for Australians as it causes sneezes, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. Did you ever think that your allergies could result in dental problems?
Allergies indeed cause sniffles, and sniffles do have an unanticipated effect on your mouth, teeth, and gums. So, how do seasonal allergies connect with your oral health? Let’s understand what measures you can take to maintain your smile throughout the allergy season.
How Do Seasonal Allergies Affect Your Mouth?
Allergy symptoms, such as a blocked nose and a runny nose, are caused by the uncontrolled release of histamine in the body. Such symptoms are associated with several problems related to teeth.
- Mouth Breathing: With congestion, a person tends to breathe through their mouth. As a result, there is no longer enough saliva in the mouth. The mouth turning into a desert can result in the growth of bacteria and plaque. Saliva’s absence makes the mouth become a breeding ground with no barriers for gum disease and cavities.
- Dry Mouth and Bad Breath: Mouth breathing leads to a dry mouth that is unable to get rid of bad breath. It also increases the risk of gum disease and decay.
- Sinus Pressure and Tooth Pain: The roots at the base of the upper teeth are close to the sinuses. Hence any additional sinus pressure brought on sudden allergy symptoms can create an agonizing feeling in the teeth. The further consequence is sharp unbearable pain from what feels like the teeth.
- Grinding and Clenching: Stress induced by disrupted sleep can cause jaw clenching or teeth grinding (bruxism, which for me is a less pleasant way of describing a dentist’s worst nightmare), and is one cause of wearing down the teeth.
Tips to Protect Your Dental Health During Allergy Season
- Stay Hydrated: Keeping your body hydrated improves mouth moisture and helps clear out bacteria.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss your teeth for plaque reduction.
- Use a Humidifier: Relieving chronic dry mouth associated with mouth breathing can be accomplished by adding moisture in the air using a humidifier.
- Manage Allergy Symptoms: Follow your doctor’s prescribed allergy medication for congestion management.
- Visit Your Dentist Regularly: Inform your dentist about your allergy symptoms, especially if you experience tooth pain or dry mouth.
- Consider Saliva Substitutes: If dry mouth persists, saliva substitutes or mouth rinses designed for dry mouth can help.
When to See a Dentist
The combination of losing moisture in your mouth, having over sensitive teeth, experiencing bad odor, or toothaches during allergy season should be dealt with as early as possible. Timely action will minimize the risk of dental complications and help maintain oral care and hygiene.
Final Thoughts
Seasonal allergies might seem unrelated to your teeth, but their effects can create real challenges for your oral health.
Being aware of the connection and taking simple preventive steps can protect your smile through every sniffle and sneeze.
