Okemos, Lansing and East Lansing Michigan
It’s the fall time of year, which means allergies can be tremendously affected by ragweed pollen, mold, and dust mites here in Michigan. Common allergy symptoms include runny nose, water eyes, sneezing, coughing, and sinus or head pressure, but allergies can also aggravate your teeth and affect your oral health. It’s important to know how allergies affect your teeth and gums so that you can manage your symptoms and protect your smile. Today on our newest blog, explore four ways that allergies affect your oral health.
Dry Mouth
Allergies commonly cause dry mouth due to nasal congestion, which causes you to breathe through your mouth. Mouth breathing reduces saliva production, which helps rinse away oral bacteria and food particles that could harm your teeth, and it neutralizes acids to help keep your breath fresh. Allergy medications can also lead to dry mouth. Therefore, only take allergy medication for as long as you absolutely need it. If you battle dry mouth during allergy season, be sure to sip on water throughout the day. Place a humidifier in your bedroom at night to help add moisture to the air while you sleep.
Increased Risk of Cavities
Due to dry mouth, teeth become more susceptible to developing cavities and enamel erosion that could cause other dental issues like tooth sensitivity or damage like a fracture or break. Allergy sufferers may also eat cough drops regularly to help reduce their cough, soothe a sore throat, and combat dry mouth. However, rely on cough drops only when necessary because the added sugar that is constantly bathing your teeth could make them more susceptible to cavities. It’s important to maintain good oral health all the time but especially during allergy season when your mouth may be more susceptible to cavities.
Gum Inflammation
During an allergy flare, people often experience postnasal drip that causes a sore throat, swollen tonsils, an overgrowth of bacteria, and eventually sore gums. This uncomfortable scenario can make it difficult to brush and floss because your mouth may be extra sensitive. However, we recommend that you stick to a daily oral hygiene routine even when allergies flare up so that you can keep your teeth and gums in tiptop shape.
Tooth Pain or Sensitivity
Sinus cavities are located in your face right above the upper jawbone, as well as the forehead above the eyes. Sinus pressure can cause toothaches as the roots of the upper teeth are close to the floor of the sinus cavities. To help relieve sinus pressure, consider taking an appropriate allergy medication that reduces nasal congestion. You can also opt for a more natural way to relieve sinuses like diffusing essential oils such as eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, frankincense, and lemon. Or make a homemade salve mixed with essential oils that you can apply to your chest at night to help open your sinuses.
Family Dentist in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, Michigan
Don’t let dealing with allergies cause your oral health to suffer. Follow our guidelines above so that you can better manage your allergies and dental issues that arise from sinus congestion and dry mouth. If you would like to schedule an appointment, contact Tenaglia Smiles by calling (517) 347-6733.