Now that it’s April, it’s officially allergy season. This time of the year brings lots of rain and beautiful flowers, but it also increases sniffling, itching, and watery eyes. You may know exactly how your allergies impact your body, but did you know that they can also affect your oral health? Read on to learn how to keep your mouth in tip-top shape even during allergy season.
First, Why Do Your Allergies Flare Up in April?
Everyone has different allergies, so there are many answers to this question. However, one of the more common reasons is pollen. During this time of year, plants like trees, weeds, flowers, and grasses release tiny grains into the air to fertilize other plants! This amazing part of nature unfortunately causes irritation when it gets into your nose, especially if you’re allergic.
What Do Allergies Have to Do with Your Oral Health?
It’s important to understand that these allergies don’t cause oral health issues themselves, however they do cause dry mouth. This symptom often occurs as a side effect of the antihistamines you use to treat allergies. Plus, mouth-breathing due to a stuffy nose will also increase dryness.
A dry mouth for a short period of time isn’t much of an issue, however chronic dry mouth from allergies can do some damage to your smile. Saliva plays an important role in your oral health, washing away plaque, bacteria, and food debris. However, when saliva isn’t flowing, the bacteria in your mouth are able to grow and interact with the sugars you eat, creating acid. This is precisely what causes problems like cavities and gum disease.
Staying Healthy During Allergy Season
Thankfully, dry mouth and the risks that come with it can be avoided with a little know-how. One of the easiest ways to prevent dry mouth is to drink lots of water. This is great for your body, but it will also stimulate saliva flow and shake loose lingering food debris. As a bonus, most tap water contains fluoride, which is a cavity-fighting mineral. It’s a good idea to keep a bottle of water nearby at all times so you can ensure your mouth is lubricated.
Another simple way to stimulate saliva is to chew sugar-free gum. This is a great step to take if you find it difficult to drink water consistently throughout the day. As an added measure, sleeping with a humidifier can also provide your mouth with moisture. If these remedies don’t work, contact your dentist for potential treatment because your dry mouth may be due to an underlying dental condition.
Ready to take on the spring months with a smile? Just remember these tips to keep your oral health in check even while your nose is stuffed up!
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Doug Clark, Jr. has over 30 years of dental experience as well as numerous hours of continuing education. He is joined by his son, Dr. H. Douglas Clark III – a Superior native who loves caring for patients in his community. Together, they offer a wide range of amazing dental services for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment, they can be reached through their website or by phone at (715) 392-5161.