Spring is in the air, and so are pollen and other allergens. With flowers blooming and the bright sunshine in clear blue skies, one would think that everyone’s excited to see the end of the cold winter months. However, allergy sufferers have another issue to contend with in addition to sniffing and sneezing, and that is sinus pain affecting their teeth and other symptoms. Here are some of the effects of allergies on your mouth and teeth.
Dry Mouth
Many allergy sufferers experience dry mouth during spring. It may not be caused by allergies directly but by antihistamines and other allergy medications. In itself, it is not a major issue, but it can lead to other complications. The purpose of saliva is to form a protective barrier against bacteria. As such, when you don’t have sufficient saliva, it can result in gingivitis, bad breath, and cavities.
Sore Throat
Most often, allergy-related sore throat is caused by a postnasal drip. While this is an annoying symptom of allergies, colds, and flu, it is actually one of the body’s most innovative self-healing mechanisms. PND occurs when congestion drains down the throat. It results in a sore throat, a swollen sensation, throat irritation, and often, coughing.
Tooth Pain
Allergies often cause a sinus infection, and since the maxillary sinuses are located just above the upper molars, it is common to experience pain in the area. The root tips of the upper molars are a sensitive area, so when you have allergies, it is common to experience pain in your upper teeth. The human body increases mucus production to flush allergens out of the body, however, the excess liquid and inflammation of the sinuses cause additional pressure to build up in the head and face. It will pressurize the root tips of the teeth, causing similar symptoms to tooth infection.
Help for Allergy Tooth Ache
There are some ways in which you can reduce tooth pain caused by allergies and sinus:
- Apply a cool compress to relieve sinus pressure. This will reduce toothache.
- Take an anti-inflammatory to help reduce the pressure.
- Take a decongestant to help dry up mucus.
- Take a hot, steamy shower to help open up your sinuses.
- Use a vaporizer to clear up your sinuses.
Of course, the first step is to determine that the pain actually stems from, and not from actual tooth infections, which also do occur all year round. Your friendly dentist will determine the cause of your tooth pain in minutes and rule out any serious problems. Serious underlying tooth issues can be treated using gentle dental techniques, and if need be, proper medication and sedation dentistry.
If your teeth and gums are in satisfactory condition, your dentist will recommend that you speak to your doctor about prescribing antihistamines, decongestants, and a topical nasal spray. Your doctor will do a full examination and assess your medical history to ensure that the medications will not have a negative effect on your health.
