Spring is nearly upon us, and while it comes bearing the gift of warmer weather, it also brings irritants that can lead to seasonal allergies. Surprisingly, allergies do not only affect your sinuses; they also are closely linked with your oral and overall health. Read more about the connection between allergies and oral health below!
How do allergies impact oral health?
Weather during the spring is often dry and windy. This allows irritants, such as pollen, to populate and spread throughout the air. Your body can overreact to these harmless irritants and trigger an allergic reaction. As a result, your body may slow saliva production or force you to breathe through your mouth due to nasal congestion./
Both of these issues can lead to dry mouth, which creates the perfect environment for bacteria to breed. This can cause numerous oral health issues including bad breath as well as a higher risk of cavities or gingivitis. In addition, stuffy sinuses may also cause symptoms like toothaches due to sinus pressure and inflammation. If you are experiencing tooth pain this spring, do not panic—visit our team and we will help you determine the cause—whether it is allergy- or decay-related.
Fighting allergies this spring
Fight dry mouth by staying hydrated and practicing nasal breathing. And be sure to practice excellent oral hygiene to reduce the risk of cavities, gum disease, or bad breath associated with dry mouth.
To prevent allergies, avoid going outside during dry, windy conditions, wear a pollen mask, take anti-allergy medications, and rinse your mouth with warm salt water. We recommend reading more from the Mayo Clinic about preventive allergy management measures here.
For some patients, a trip to the dentist could help during allergy season as well. We can treat underlying factors that may be worsening seasonal allergies—like a narrow airway, poor mouth or tongue posture, or sleep-related breathing issues. At Bowen Legacy Dental, we check your airways at every visit because we know how interrelated they are with your dental health and overall wellness.
Using special tools, like oral sleep appliances, we can open the airways and encourage nighttime nasal breathing. This helps filter out allergens and promotes healthy, restful sleep. With myofunctional therapy, we can promote nasal breathing and an open airway using a number of facial and oral exercises. And, through orthotropic appliances, we can widen the dental arch and open the airway. When you visit us, we will determine the best course of action and customize a treatment plan for you.
Book your appointment today
This allergy season, take control of your health, breathing, and smile. If you are ready to book an appointment at Bowen Legacy Dental, call our team today at 614.459.2300. And, from all of us, we wish you a happy, healthy spring!
