How is Hay Fever Linked to Dental Health Problems?

If you suffer from seasonal allergies like hay fever, you know all about the unpleasant side-effects including coughing, sneezing, having a stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes. What’s not so well-known is the potential effect on your dental health as allergies can increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath and sore throats.

Frequently, hay fever causes sinus pain, and when your sinuses are full of mucus, the additional pressure can press down on your upper back teeth, potentially causing toothache. One way to tell if it is true toothache is to take antihistamines to relieve the symptoms. If the tooth pain remains, it’s best to come and see us here at Casey Dental, in case the toothache is due to an infection.

Other problems include dry mouth and especially if you need to breathe through your mouth. Medications like antihistamines can frequently cause dry mouth as a side-effect. When your mouth is drier, it loses the protective effects of saliva, increasing your risk of cavities, bad breath and gum disease. If you have dry mouth, make sure you drink plenty of water, and some people like to chew sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets. Also, remember we can provide you with additional advice and care to reduce the impact of hay fever on your dental health.