Learn 5 Reasons Why Allergy Sufferers Have More Dental Problems
If you suffer from allergies, you’re not alone. The Allergy & Asthma Network suggests that 82 million people have a diagnosis of year-round allergies. And if you fall in this category, you know that it means nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, and likely more. But did you know that if you have allergies, you are also at greater risk for dental problems?
It’s unfortunate but true. Allergies and dental problems often go together. And if you live in Greensboro, which has been rated the tenth worst city for people with allergies, our team at Farless Dental Group has a few things you’ll want to know.
What is the link between allergies and dental problems?
Allergies can affect your oral health in several ways. Nasal congestion often leads to mouth breathing, while many allergy medications can cause dry mouth. Together, these changes reduce saliva, allowing cavity-causing bacteria to multiply and raising the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and even tooth pain from sinus pressure.
1. Allergy medications can cause dry mouth.
Have you ever had the feeling that your mouth was stuffed with cotton? Or, you just felt like no matter how much water you drink, your mouth just felt all dried out? This is what dry mouth is like. And, sadly, if you take allergy medications, you are more at risk for developing it.
Many antihistamines reduce saliva because they block a chemical that helps your salivary glands work. Without enough saliva, food particles and bacteria stay on your teeth longer, raising the chance of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Drinking water regularly and chewing sugar-free gum may help relieve symptoms.
2. Sinus pressure can feel like tooth pain.
Allergy sufferers are intimately familiar with sinus pain. But why should an environmental allergy make your sinuses hurt, and why does it feel like a toothache? The answer comes down to anatomy. When allergies trigger sinusitis, the tissues lining your sinuses become swollen and place pressure on the roots of your upper back teeth. That pressure can create aching, tenderness, or sensitivity that closely resembles a dental problem.
So, can allergies cause tooth pain? Absolutely. However, because toothaches can also signal cavities, cracked teeth, or infection, it’s always wise to have lingering pain evaluated by your dentist.
3. Mouth-breathing dries out gums.
We’ve already talked about dry mouth, but we need to talk about mouth breathing too. The reality is that if your sinuses are all clogged up from allergies, it might not be that easy to breathe through your nose. The result? Mouth breathing. And when you breathe through your mouth, it contributes to dry mouth in an entirely different way.
Constant airflow over your teeth and gums dries out oral tissues, leaving them more vulnerable to irritation. Over time, this can lead to red, tender, or inflamed gums, especially along the front teeth. Combined with reduced saliva, mouth breathing creates conditions that make it easier for harmful bacteria to thrive.
4. Post-nasal drip can cause acid exposure.
Post-nasal drip is one of the most complained-about symptoms for allergy sufferers. And it’s no joke. Constantly sniffling and dabbing your nose with a tissue all day can be really frustrating. Yet, it’s a way of life for allergy sufferers, often even if they are receiving treatment from an allergist.
But here’s the thing. That post-nasal drip is more than just annoying. You guessed it. It’s also bad for your teeth. Post-nasal drip can introduce acidic mucus into your mouth, particularly while you sleep. Repeated acid exposure may gradually weaken tooth enamel, making teeth more sensitive and more likely to develop decay. It can also contribute to bad breath by allowing bacteria to collect in the back of the throat.
5. Allergy sufferers are at an increased risk of gum disease.
Gum disease is already far more prevalent than we want it to be, but if you are an allergy sufferer, you are at increased risk. We talk to Greensboro patients all the time who suffer from allergies and ask how it affects their gums. Here’s how and why.
Allergies create several conditions that make gum disease more likely. Dry mouth reduces saliva that normally helps wash away bacteria, while mouth breathing can leave gum tissue irritated and inflamed. Together, these factors allow plaque to build up more easily along the gumline. Without regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, that irritation can progress into gingivitis and eventually more advanced gum disease.
Don’t let allergies impact your smile.
At Farless Dental Group in Greensboro, NC, we take it upon ourselves to understand the ins and outs of your medical history. No, this isn’t because we’re nosy. It’s because when we understand your overall health, we can better help your oral health. And allergies are part of that bigger picture.
So, when our patients have allergies, we take very specific extra steps to help protect their teeth. Here’s what that looks like.
- Ask about allergy symptoms and medications during your exam
- Check for signs of dry mouth, cavities, and irritated gums
- Look for clues that sinus pressure and tooth pain relief may require a deeper dental evaluation
- Recommend products and daily habits that help protect your teeth and gums
- Schedule regular cleanings to keep plaque and gum inflammation under control.
Request an appointment with your dentist near Greensboro, NC, today.
If you have allergies, you likely see an allergist or take medications to keep things under control. But allergy specialists and antihistamines aren’t paying attention to what’s happening inside your mouth. That’s where we can help.
Our team at Farless Dental Group understands allergies and the havoc they can wreak on your teeth and gums. So, when you come to see us, we make sure to look at the whole picture so that your smile is protected just as much as the rest of you.
Schedule an appointment today and see how our approach to general dentistry will keep your smile healthy, even when allergies are at play.
