How Allergies Affect Teeth and Oral Hygiene

Tips For Preventing TMJWhen you suffer from allergies, you already feel miserable. Your main concern is feeling better. You should also consider the relationship between allergies and your oral health.

Breathing Habits With Allergies:

When you have allergies that affect your respiratory system, you may overcompensate by breathing through your mouth. Breathing in this fresh air may help you feel a little better, but it can be harmful to your oral health. When you consistently breathe through your mouth, you can develop a condition known as dry mouth.

Dry mouth can be uncomfortable, and lead to bad breath. It can also increase your risk of cavities.

Allergies and Medications:

Many allergy medications can cause dry mouth, too. They may provide temporary relief from your allergy symptoms, but undermine your oral health. From over the counter products to prescription medications, dry mouth can cause problems with your teeth.

Allergies and Oral Health:

You cannot afford to neglect oral hygiene when you are bothered by allergy symptoms. Brush and floss at least once each morning and at bedtime.

There are additional steps you can take to reduce dry mouth. Drink plenty of water, and rinse with fresh water even when you are not drinking it. Ask your dentist to recommend a mouthwash, and use it periodically throughout the day.

You can chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva and reduce dryness. A healthy saliva flow can keep bacteria off your teeth.

If you need to use an inhaler for your allergies, rinse your mouth with fresh water after you use it.
Allergies can be difficult to deal with, but you do not need to sacrifice your oral health. You can achieve allergy relief while keeping your teeth healthy. If you start with these tips, you can reduce or eliminate dry mouth, and have oral health after allergy season is over.