Springtime is upon us once more. With the blooming of a wide range of flora comes the spreading of pollen, which happens to be the most common trigger for seasonal allergies.
In North America in 2021, pollen season started 20 days early, around mid-February. Pollen loads shot up by 21% due to global warming, worrying Canadians affected by allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other springtime allergies. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, manifests in a number of symptoms, including a runny and itchy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal congestion which could lead to pain in the head and teeth.
While you may think that there is little to connection, springtime allergies can also cause dental health problems. Most of these problems are due to a particular allergy-related symptom and allergy medication that causes mouth dryness.
Swollen Sinuses and Nasty Toothaches
If you’ve ever felt swelling and discomfort in your cheeks during a nasty rhinitis attack, chances are you’ve had your teeth and/or gums affected by your allergies. In severe cases, the discomfort often turns into a full-blast toothache, giving you one more problems to deal with, aside from the usual sneezing and runny nose.
- How It Happens
The root tips of your molars are coincidentally located close to your maxillary sinuses. When mucus abnormally builds up in your sinuses because of rhinitis, the congestion puts pressure on your head and face. It pushes against the roots of your teeth, and subsequently causes pain and inflammation in the upper molars. - What You Can Do
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- Refrain from going out. This is one of those instances when COVID-19 restrictions are a boon for you — the less time spent outdoors means reduced exposure to allergens, especially at the peak of pollen season. If you need to be outdoors for your job, wear a mask. Change it often to minimize the chances of you inhaling pollen grains and other allergens.
- Control your allergies. Consider long-term treatment options for your allergies, such as prescription medicine or allergy shots. If you have severe allergies, consider using a nasal spray to help relieve the symptoms of allergy and any associated dental problems. Keep in mind that most medications can dry your mouth (which can also cause dental problems); stay hydrated while combating your allergies.
- Gargle warm salt water. Salt draws mucus out of your sinuses, and also cuts down harmful bacteria (which can cause plaque and bad breath) in your mouth and throat. For best results, dissolve a tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle and spit until you finish the entire glass.
- No spring cleaning for you. Most of us are keen on cleaning up during springtime, but for those who either have seasonal or perennial allergies, it is best to steer clear of activities that can invoke dust, mites, and other common allergens that may trigger your rhinitis.
Dry Mouth
Asthma and allergies often go hand in hand. During springtime, cases of asthma increase due to the prevalence of pollen and other known triggers that can cause an allergic reaction in the lungs. Whether you take antihistamines for your allergies or use an inhaler to ease your asthma, you will experience mouth dryness more often than usual.
A dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay, which can lead to further complications. Asthma also has links to bad breath and oral thrush.
- How it Happens
Your body naturally looks out for your oral and dental wellness by generating a healthy level of saliva that breaks down food and washes away any debris left in your mouth. Saliva contains bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate which neutralizes the acids in your mouth and helps restore and rebuild the enamel in your teeth.Without saliva, breaking down your food is less easy, and it is more likely for food debris to remain in your mouth. The presence of unwanted particles in your mouth may foster an environment for bacteria, increasing your chances for cavities.
- What You Can Do
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- Keep yourself hydrated. In addition to counteracting the effects of a dry mouth, water also helps wash away excess mucus.
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- Keep sugar-free gum in your pocket. Chewing gum with Xylitol helps you salivate. However, you need to regulate how many pieces you chew in a day because this may still lead to cavities when taken excessively.
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- Rinse or brush. After using your inhaler, rinse your mouth with water, or brush your teeth. This is to prevent particles of the asthma medication from getting stuck inside your mouth. There are cases of mouth sores caused by asthma medication irritating your throat.
- Alternative inhaler options. If you suspect your inhaler is causing dental problems, ask your doctor for an alternative. Some types of asthma medication and inhalers containing sugar (especially for kids) have been found to cause cavities.
Mouth Breathing and Crooked Teeth
When a child suffers chronic nasal congestion, this could result in malocclusion. Characterized by a misalignment of the teeth, malocclusion is also known as crowded teeth, overbite, or underbite.
- How It Happens
Children who have allergic rhinitis at a young age suffer from chronic nasal congestion, and develop a “mouth breathing” technique when they find it difficult to breathe normally through their nose. Because a child’s bones are still developing at this time, this action may cause the mouth to develop an abnormally high arched palate. The teeth then grow crooked, resulting in an overbite. - What You Can Do
If your child constantly suffers from nasal congestion, have them checked for allergies so you can address this problem before they develop mouth-breathing habits. Consider calling your dentist if they are already developing apparent signs of malocclusion, so you can explore braces as an option to prevent further misalignment.
Postnasal Drip and Bad Breath
- How It Happens
Postnasal drip is another common symptom of allergic rhinitis. It happens when excess mucus accumulates in the nose, or at the back of the throat, and often accompanies sore throat in giving you oral and nasal discomfort during an allergy attack. The mucus that remains unwashed from the throat can harden in the tonsils, attracting bacteria that contribute to bad breath. - What You Can Do
Most people complaining about bad breath often point to a dental problem as the culprit. Brushing and flossing regularly helps eliminate bad breath for a short time. However, because of allergy-related symptoms, bad breath can return, worsening during allergy season.
The best way to address this issue so you can prevent bad breath from ruining your beautiful springtime days is to treat your allergies first.
Modern Dental Problems Require Modern Dental Solutions
Got dental problems this springtime? Springdale Dental offers a wide range of dental services to address Brampton’s dental care needs, not just this season, but all throughout the year. Call us at 905-458-1212, or email
in**@sp**************.com
to book an appointment today!
