Allergy Season and Dry Mouth

Spring brings so much beauty to our world. Flowers are blooming, the grass is greening up, and trees are leafing out. Yet, with all of this beauty can come profound misery for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. If you’ve never given much thought to how allergy season can affect your oral health, keep reading to learn more.

For most people who suffer from allergies, you know that some of the most miserable symptoms simply must be endured. Postnasal drip, a stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes are the most common symptoms of allergies. Until you have suffered through these symptoms for weeks on end, you may not understand how wretched they can make you feel. To combat these symptoms, many people turn to allergy medications known as antihistamines. These types of medicines help to dry up excess mucus in the sinuses. However, as they are helping in one area, these medications can lead to another problem: dry mouth.

Dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. A dry mouth can pose severe complications to your oral health because a dry mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Saliva helps keep the mouth moist and wash away food particles and the millions of bacteria present inside your mouth every day. When saliva production is not adequate, bacteria will cling to the teeth and harden into damaging tartar.

Symptoms of dry mouth include:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth and throat
• Frequent thirst
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat
• Bad breath
• A dry, raw tongue
• Cracked lips and split skin at the corners of the mouth

At Ora Dentistry, we want to help you make it through allergy season without any damage to your smile. A dry mouth can quickly allow tartar to get out of control and cause tooth decay and gum disease. If you are suffering from dry mouth, please contact our practice. We are here to help keep your smile beautiful and healthy.