Can allergies cause dry mouth? And can they cause tooth pain? The short answer is yes—if you’re experiencing unpleasant symptoms from allergies this spring, it’s not all in your head. Here’s how spring allergies can affect your oral health and a few tips to make life a little more pleasant!
How Allergies Affect Your Overall Health
Spring in Minnesota is a welcomed time of year—for many of us, we’re finally spending time outside after a long winter. However, as trees, shrubs, and flowers begin to bloom, for some of us, an annual battle with pollen and allergies begins.
While many may associate allergy symptoms with having sinus issues, it can take a toll on your oral health, too. Here are a few common symptoms that may be from your seasonal allergies.
Can Allergies Cause Dry Mouth?
A common symptom for those with allergies is a stuffy nose. Unfortunately, this can lead to more mouth breathing than normal, leading to reduced saliva production. Saliva is important for washing away food and bacteria, keeping your breath fresh, and neutralizing acids that cause tooth decay. With decreased saliva, you run a higher risk of dry mouth, cavities, and bad breath.
In addition, if you’re taking antihistamines to help relieve your allergy symptoms, dry mouth may be a side effect. This can also increase your risk of tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.
How to Combat Dry Mouth
If you find yourself struggling with dry mouth this allergy season, here are some things you can try to help:
Drink plenty of water
This will help you stay hydrated and produce more saliva throughout the day.
Try chewing sugar-free gum
Sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production.
Use a humidifier at home
If your home is dry, your dry mouth symptoms may be worse. Try using humidifier to keep more moisture in the air.
Can Allergies Cause Bad Breath?
Yes, allergies can be behind your bad breath! Bad breath, or halitosis, is often caused by postnasal drip which is a common allergy symptom. Postnasal drip can also give you a sore throat, so know that that is common as well.
How to Combat Bad Breath
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated will help you thin out mucus and flush out any allergens that float your way.
Brush your tongue and use an antibacterial mouthwash
Excess mucus can create a breeding ground for bacteria. Combat this by brushing your tongue and using an antibacterial mouthwash for extra protection against cavity-causing bacteria.
Can Allergies Cause Tooth Sensitivity?
Yes, seasonal allergies can cause tooth sensitivity and tooth pain. This is caused by the maxillary sinuses, located above your upper molars, becoming inflamed and pressing on the roots of your teeth. This can range from creating tooth sensitivity to being straight-up painful.
How to Combat Tooth Sensitivity
Clear your sinuses
Clearing your sinuses will help relieve pressure that your maxillary sinuses are causing. A few home remedies that may help including taking a steam shower, using a saline nasal rinse, drinking tea, and applying a warm compress to your face.
Can Allergies Cause Gum Pain?
Sometimes, seasonal allergies can create an immune response, which may increase inflammation throughout your entire body. This can show up through irritated and inflamed gums. Some symptoms of this may include a burning sensation in your mouth, increased teeth sensitivity, and tender gums.
How to Combat Gum Pain
One of the best things you can do is to support your immune system during allergy season. Try to eat plenty of foods with vitamin C, which will also help strengthen your gum tissue. In addition, make sure you’re sticking to your normal routine of brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, preferably with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
General Oral Tips to Help Combat Seasonal Allergies
Drink Plenty of Water
It’s important to stay hydrated so you can combat dry mouth and bad breath. Rinsing your mouth after being outside can also flush away any pollen that gets stuck to your mouth and teeth.
Eat a Healthy Diet Rich in Vitamin C
Support your immune system and fight inflammation with foods rich in vitamin C.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Stick to your normal brushing and flossing routine as best as you can to help avoid other painful symptoms such as tooth decay and cavities.
Conclusion
So, can allergies cause dry mouth and other unfortunate oral health symptoms? Yes! We hope this blog post helped you learn more about how seasonal allergies affect us. If you find that you’re experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed above, it’s still good to visit your dentist. Even if you’re pretty sure your symptoms are caused by seasonal allergies, it’s always good to get underlying issues ruled out by a dentist.
About Krengel Dental, Modern Minnesota Dentist
At Krengel Dental, we’re not your average dentist. We do everything we can to help your smile shine. If you’re looking for the best modern dentist in Bloomington, MN, we would love to help you. Not in Bloomington, MN but live nearby? Be sure to check out our St. Louis Park location. Visit our contact page to book an appointment with us.
