Seasonal Allergies: Kryptonite for Your Oral Health and Comfort

Spring is just around the corner, which means countless people will start a marathon of sniffling and sneezing, all thanks to seasonal allergies. What most folks don’t realize is that seasonal allergies are much more than an uncomfortable inconvenience. They cause several symptoms that can also impact the health of your mouth. Read on to learn what problems allergies can cause your oral health and how you can keep your smile healthy as you battle it out with spring.

Tooth Pain & Facial Aches

Not all tooth pain is a result of a terrible dental infection. In fact, many people with bad seasonal allergies experience facial aches and dental discomfort due to their maxillary sinuses being clogged with mucus. These sinuses are located above your mouth and are the largest ones in your face. The added weight and discomfort of mucus can push down on your upper molars and cause tooth pain and sensitivity.

Dry Mouth

Even though dry mouth may just sound like an annoying side-effect of seasonal allergies and taking antihistamines to help you feel better, this symptom can actually have a substantial impact on your oral health by creating an environment in which harmful oral bacteria can thrive. Your saliva naturally neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in your mouth and washes away food debris. If you aren’t producing enough of it, it allows those bacteria to hang around and continue eating away at your enamel.

Sore Throat

Throat irritation typically occurs as a result of postnasal drip. Not only can it cause your breath to smell a little foul, but since the root of the issue is in your throat, you can’t brush or mouthwash the odor away.

What Can You Do to Take Care of Your Mouth?

Even though you’ll likely feel down and out due to seasonal allergies, if you have enough energy left over, it’s a good idea to put it towards maintaining a healthy smile. Here are a few ways you can look after the health of your mouth as you’re battling allergies this spring:

• Stay Hydrated with Water. Drinking plenty of water is not only beneficial for your body by flushing away mucus, but it can also help you combat dry mouth.
• Gargle with Salt Water. If you dissolve a teaspoon of salt water in a warm glass of water and swish with it, it can kill harmful bacteria in your mouth and throat and draw mucus out of your maxillary sinuses.
• Continue Brushing & Flossing Your Teeth. Even though you might not be feeling 100 percent, it’s still important to brush your teeth twice each day for at least two minutes and floss every day.
• Visit Your Dentist. If you’re due for a routine checkup and cleaning, schedule it in the spring so your dentist can tackle any lingering oral issues that may be caused by your allergies.

Even though it sounds like a lot of work, by following these four simple preventive measures, you can find relief from your seasonal allergies and rest easy knowing your smile is healthy!

About the Practice

At Real Dental, we have a highly-skilled team that’s comprised of not one or two, but five dentists who are all dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in their field. With a drive to do right by their patients and a focus on preventive dental care, each of our dentists has a goal of saving patients time, money, and discomfort by tackling oral issues as early as possible, before they need more invasive intervention. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning during allergy season, visit Real Dental’s website or call 817-406-7239.