Although you're probably not thinking about your oral health when allergy season is in full bloom, it's important to understand that your allergies can and will impact both your teeth and your gums in several different ways.
How Allergies Affect Your Oral Health
First, you should know that your allergies can cause your teeth to hurt. Sinus pain happens when the hollow areas in your head fill with mucus. This can be felt in your teeth because your largest sinuses, your maxillary sinuses, are located right above your mouth.
Secondly, it's important to realize when your allergies are causing you to have a dry mouth. This can happen in one of two ways. First, you're probably breathing through your mouth if your nose is stuffed up. Second, antihistamines often cause you to have a dry mouth, which can lead to the development of bad breath, cavities, and even gum disease.
Third, when your allergies are acting up you may have a sore throat from postnasal drip. This can also cause you to have bad breath.
Maintaining Your Oral Health During Allergy Season
So, what should you do when your allergies are acting up? Besides taking some type of medication to alleviate your allergies, make sure you remain well-hydrated while doing so. Your mouth needs to be moist and drinking plenty of water will also help flush away any excess mucus.
Make sure you also brush and floss twice daily. You may also want to gargle with some saltwater (one tablespoon of salt in 8 oz. of warm water) to draw mucus out of your sinuses and give you some relief. This also helps remove harmful bacteria from your mouth and throat before it can cause bad breath or plaque.
You should also talk to us. If you're experiencing any tooth pain, give us a call and set up an appointment so we can make sure there's nothing serious going on.
Location 11820 SW King James Pl Ste. 40 Tigard, OR 97224-2481
Although you're probably not thinking about your oral health when allergy season is in full bloom, it's important to understand that your allergies can and will impact both your teeth and your gums in several different ways.