Did You Know Allergies Can Affect Your Teeth?

Allergies probably make your eyes water, your nose run and cause you to sneeze constantly. But did you know allergies can also affect your teeth? Along with the traditional symptoms, you may also experience tooth pain, a sore throat, and a really dry mouth.

Tooth Pain

Your largest sinus cavities are located right next to the roots of your upper molars. So when you have an allergy attack, there’s a good chance your teeth will hurt too. Here’s why: during flare-ups, your body produces more mucus in an attempt to rid the body of the allergen. More mucus in your maxillary sinus cavities puts pressure on the tips of your upper teeth’ roots. That means you may experience toothache-like symptoms when your allergies are raging.

A Sore Throat

Your throat may also hurt during an allergic reaction. It’s usually caused by postnasal drip. In layman’s terms, postnasal drip occurs when congestion drains down your throat. You may also experience coughing or throat irritation.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is often a byproduct of nasal allergies. For some, dry mouth occurs as a reaction to the allergen. For others, dry mouth comes as a side effect of allergy medications. Either way, a dry mouth can cause big problems in your mouth. Saliva protects your mouth and teeth from bacteria and rinses away food particles from the surface of your teeth. So if your mouth doesn’t have enough saliva, you’re at greater risk of cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

It’s not always possible to know if your symptoms are caused by allergies or a bigger problem like tooth decay, gingivitis or an infection in your mouth. Be sure to consult a dentist if a symptom doesn’t show signs of improvement after taking over-the-counter medication for allergies. A dentist can quickly determine if your symptoms are indeed a byproduct of an allergic reaction or signs of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed.

Get Help Today

If you are looking for a dentist with a great reputation you are in the right place. Dr. Paul Feldman at Suburban Essex Dental, West Orange, NJ is the dentist to go to.  Dr. Paul Feldman has been chosen as a Top Dentist in NJ for the past 9 years and still, he is going strong. The entire staff would love to have you join their long list of happy patients. Contact Suburban Essex Dental to schedule your dental appointment. We are located on Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange in Essex County, NJ