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Dental Health and Allergies

by | Jul 7, 2022 | dental health and allergies

Dental-health-and-allergies

How can allergies affect your dental health?

Dental health and allergies can have an indirect relationship. For one thing, when people take antihistamines to cope with allergies, the medication can create dry mouth. Also, clogged sinuses can lead to breathing more through the mouth. This in turn can cause dry mouth.

A dry mouth is an indication of not enough saliva. In addition, saliva is vital for washing food particles off your teeth. It also helps counteract the acids produced by bacteria and plaque.

Remedies for Dry Mouth

If you’re suffering from dry mouth, there are things you can do to bring relief. Here are a few things that sometimes help:

  • Increase the amount of water you drink
  • Use a humidifier at night during sleep
  • Chew sugar-free gum
  • Suck on sugar-free hard candies

What Does Scientific Data Tell Us About Dental Health and Allergies?

According to NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), there may be a connection between allergies and oral health. Allergies and poor dental health seem to occur at the same time in some patients.

Researchers in 2020 conducted a study on 136,000 Korean adolescents. The study showed a significant connection between poor oral health and the following allergies:

  • Allergic rhinitis (nose allergies to pollen, dust or animal dander)
  • Asthma
  • Skin allergies

Teeth crowding also showed an increased risk of allergies. In fact, the article pointed out that mouth breathing causes the palate to develop abnormally. This can result in crooked teeth and problems with bite. An overbite or underbite can lead to tooth decay, cavities, gum disease and broken teeth.

With nasal allergies, the production of mucous often increases. The extra mucous can cause pressure in sinus cavities. What’s more, the sinus cavities lie above the mouth area. As a result, sometimes people experience toothaches in their upper teeth.

Do you have concerns about the effects allergies may be having on your oral health?

We’re always glad to answer your questions and discuss your concerns about dental care. To make an appointment, call Hutto Hippo Family Dental at (512) 806-7740.