Your dental health may not be on the list of things you worry about when allergy season is coming. This fact is unfortunate for you and your smile. Hay fever and other allergy problems can directly impact your oral health. There are symptoms and signs that you can watch out for to help reduce the effect. Chances are you’ve never thought about these risks. If so, this article will prove an eye-opening experience for you.
Allergies And Your Oral Health: An Unexpected And Worrisome Connection
There’s one thing that is important to understand about allergies and oral health. Your teeth and gums aren’t being directly affected by most allergies. Instead, it’s the side effects of your body’s reaction to dust and pollen that are the concern. If you suffer from allergies, the following list of symptoms is going to be very familiar. The included information about your oral health may surprise you, though.
- Sore Throat – This is usually the result of post-nasal drip. The consequences for your oral health? It’s often a cause of halitosis your toothbrush won’t fix—a minor but socially inconvenient concern.
- Dry Mouth – This symptom appears due to your allergies or the medication you use to control them. Being congested leads to a tendency to breathe through your mouth. Doing so can dry up your saliva, a primary natural protector of your teeth. Antihistamines can also cause you to salivate less, leading to a similar concern. Without saliva, your teeth are at risk.
- Tooth Pain – This symptom comes from an unexpected source. If it’s not the result of cavities and tooth decay, it may be due to sinus pressure. Your sinuses occupy a significant amount of space in your head. The pressure caused by congestion can put pressure on your molars.
Thankfully there are treatment and prevention options available for these concerns:
- Hydration – Preventing these symptoms is just one more reason to stay hydrated. It can help flush out mucus and reduce dry mouth symptoms.
- Gargle With Salt Water – This trick can help ease your sore throat. It can also help to encourage mucus to clear out. Finally, oral bacteria are no fans of a saline environment. A saltwater rinse can help discourage their growth.
- Consistent Hygiene – While ongoing oral hygiene is always important, it’s doubly so for allergy sufferers. It can help bring some relief to congestion due to the minty toothpaste. More importantly, it can help prevent tooth decay from dry mouth.
Using these tips consistently can help manage the symptoms of allergies. Even better, of course, is keeping your allergies under control.
Speak To Your Allergy And Dental Experts
As always, the best thing you can do for your oral health is to see your dentist. They’ll provide extensive information about avoiding tooth decay concerns. Calling on their expertise will ensure you get meaningful and practical techniques for managing allergy season. Another valuable tip is avoiding allergens by wearing a mask or staying home during high pollen days. There are apps available that give alerts regarding the current pollen count. Every tool at your disposal helps.
