Ugh, allergies. On top of the facial pressure, runny nose, sore throat, and headache, you may find that your teeth and mouth hurt is well. Great. So, what can you do when your allergies are hurting your mouth, and can they cause damage to your oral health? Let’s investigate below!
The Sinuses
You have several sinus cavities in your face, and allergens can cause them to clog with mucus and swell. In particular, the maxillary sinuses right above the roof of your mouth can put pressure on the sensitive roots of your teeth, which is what causes that painful, achy feeling you get when your allergies are acting up. The good news is that this discomfort shouldn’t persist once your allergies subside, and it shouldn’t cause any lingering problems for your oral health. An over-the-counter decongestant can help alleviate some of that dental pain and clear out you sinuses if you’re in need of a little relief.
Dry Mouth
Your saliva plays a vital role in washing away bacteria that enters your mouth and helps get rid of any sticky substances that can adhere to your teeth and cause cavities. Allergies may cause your mouth to dry out, which gives bacteria free reign over your entire oral cavity, including your throat and nasal passages. Try chewing sugar-free gum, drinking water, or sucking on a sugar-free hard candy to stimulate saliva production and irrigate your mouth. Also, be sure to really stay on top of brushing your teeth, as prolonged lack of saliva can leave you more susceptible to cavities and gingivitis.
Sore Throat
Allergies cause an overproduction of mucus in your nasal passages and sinuses, which drain into your throat and cause irritation — and an accompanying cough doesn’t help either! Although sore throats shouldn’t have a direct effect on your teeth or gums, be careful about ingesting too many throat lozenges. They can often contain a lot of sugars and leave a sticky film on your teeth, which can cause cavities if you’re not brushing regularly.
Allergies are never fun, and it can be surprising how much of an impact they can have on your mouth. Even though you’re under the weather, be sure to keep brushing at least twice a day to get rid of any extra bacteria that may be having around due to a dry mouth or a sore throat. Thankfully, allergies shouldn’t have any prolonged effects on your oral health, other than some temporary discomfort. If pain persists after your other allergy symptoms die down, make an appointment to see your dentist and your primary care doctor to make sure there’s no lingering infection.
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