How to Survive Austin’s Allergy Season Without Harming Your Teeth
As wonderful as living in Austin can be, it does come with some unfortunate downsides, including a particularly brutal allergy season. In addition to the sniffles, itchy eyes, and a scratchy throat, allergies can have negative side effects on your dental health. Here are some tips for surviving Austin’s allergy season while keeping your smile healthy.
Dry Mouth
One of the biggest ways that allergy season can affect your oral health is dry mouth. When your nose is all stuffed up, you tend to breathe through your mouth more often. You might wake up to find that your mouth feels like sandpaper. Adequate saliva levels are key to protecting your smile from decay and helping remineralize your tooth enamel. Fight dry mouth by staying well hydrated throughout the day or try taking a decongestant to open up your nasal airways.
Tooth Pain
If you are experiencing a dull, throbbing pain in your teeth, allergies could be to blame. The sinuses are empty spaces surrounding your nasal cavity, the largest of which are right above your upper back teeth. When your sinuses get irritated by allergens, they become inflamed and can place pressure on the roots of your molars, causing discomfort and sensitivity in the teeth. Antihistamines could relieve this pain, but if it persists, tell your dentist so we can rule out other dental issues.
Sore Throat & Bad Breath
When your body is fighting allergens, it tends to produce excess mucus, which can lead to a pesky post-nasal drip in the back of your throat. This can cause persistent bad breath if you don’t take action. Gargle with saltwater to find relief and kill bad breath-causing bacteria in the back of your throat.
Comprehensive Dental Care in Austin, Texas
Seasonal allergies can be a real pain to deal with, but they shouldn’t get in the way of your oral health care. Continue brushing and flossing twice a day, and don’t skip your routine dental cleanings and check-up appointments. If you worry that the cause of your dental problems could be something other than allergies, schedule an appointment at Westgate Family Dental today!
