If you’re one of the 50 million Americans that suffer from seasonal allergies it causes more than just a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes — it may impact your dental health as well!
The spring season is breathtaking — colorful daffodils and tulips are blooming and the trees are budding — this may quite also physically be breathtaking if you have season allergies!
Langhorne is one of the most beautiful places to experience spring — there is old architecture mixed with new growth! If this season gets this best of you not only causes you to sneeze but serious sinus issues, learn more in today’s post how it can also be a culprit of your dental health!
How Your Mouth is Affected By Spring
Seasonal allergies affect more than just your typical symptoms of watery, itchy eyes, uncontrollable sneezing, and non-stop mucus — they also impact your teeth and gums. Let’s explore more about it below.
When your sinus cavities are bombarded with all the new pollen and growth, these hollow spaces, with the largest ones being closest to your teeth, fill up with mucus that can cause discomfort and throbbing.
When this builds up on your maxillary sinuses, it increases the pressure on the roots of your molars and causes tooth pain and sensitivity. In addition, your teeth may become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and the pressure may get better or worse by sitting or laying down.
If you think your tooth pain is related to the seasonal fauna and flora, you can try and alleviate the discomfort with hot compresses around your maxillary sinuses, rinsing with a neti pot, or talking with a health professional about an antihistamine.
If your tooth pain doesn’t diminish, connect with your local dentist.
Allergy-related dry mouth can occur in a number of ways such as being a mouth breather (because your nose is plugged) or resulting from taking an antihistamine. Regardless of how you got your dry mouth, it is not good to have.
When your mouth is dry, it increases your risk for bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Saliva washes down and takes the harmful bacteria with it, so a dry mouth creates the perfect environment for S. mutans.
If your dry mouth is related to your breathing, really try and clear your nose (neti pot or a saline rinse) and retain yourself to breathe through your nose. If it’s induced by antihistamines, talk with a professional about switching it up or taking a different approach with herbs.
We tend to get a sore throat in allergy season due to post nasal drip, which can cause bad breath. The best course of action to clear up your bad breath is to drink plenty of water and brush your teeth. To fully eliminate this, getting to the root cause of your allergies will be the most beneficial.
Keep your dental health in check during allergy season with the following tips:
- Staying hydrated
- Staying diligent about brushing and flossing
- Treating your allergies
- Rinsing both your mouth and sinuses with saline
- Getting regular dental checkups
Who knew that seasonal allergies could affect your dental health?
To learn more information about how we can help you this season, schedule an appointment today!