Can A Seasonal Allergy Affect My Gums
Seasonal allergies can affect the gums, causing them to become red, swollen and even painful. This is due to the sinus congestion making it difficult to breathe through the nose. The soft tissues in the mouth ideally exist in a moist environment. If these tissues become dried out from mouth-breathing, the tissues become irritated and inflamed.
Unexplained Toothache It Might Be Due To Seasonal Allergies
You probably know Its that time of year againallergy season. But did you know that allergies can cause dental issues?
The symptomsWeve been seeing a lot of toothaches lately due to sinus inflammation from seasonal allergies. Symptoms are most commonly localized to the maxillary premolars and molars. You may have been feeling toothache symptoms on teeth without a reason to hurt, including hypersensitivity to cold, pain on biting, sensitivity to tapping, and throbbing sensations. While it is true all of these symptoms mimic an infected tooth, they also are indicative of sinus pressure.
What you should doEarly spring-like conditions have led to an increase in seasonal allergies, in turn some of these allergies can increase inflammation in the sinus membrane leading to generalized pain in upper premolars and molars. However these symptoms generally manifest with the typical seasonal allergy symptoms, so if you dont have your normal seasonal allergy symptoms you may want us to take a closer look.
TreatmentOnce you have seen your dentist and ruled out a tooth infection, you can treat the symptoms. In order to treat sinus congestion and pressure to relieve tooth pain, you must eliminate the congestion which causes the pressure. A good trio of medications often recommended to treat these symptoms are:
1. Antihistamine 2. Decongestant 3. Topical Nasal Spray-
Call us to schedule an appointment! 541-548-8175.
Redmond Dental Group
Symptoms That Suggest Your Toothache Is Due To Sinus Pressure
It can be hard to figure out what causes your toothache. Toothache associated with sinus pressure will more likely make several upper teeth painful than affecting a specific tooth. One key indicator that you have a sinus-related toothache is when your entire face is affected by the inflammation. Other blatant symptoms to look for are frequent headaches and breathing difficulties. Other common symptoms for a sinus-related toothache include:
- Congested nose and lack of taste
- Throbbing pressure around the eyes or forehead
- Nasal drip
- Thick mucus from the nasal area
- Earache
Don’t Miss: Robitussin Medication
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia And Trigeminal Neuralgia
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia and trigeminal neuralgia, the latter sometimes called tic douloureux, are relatively rare nerve conditions that cause recurrent, sudden, excruciating pain around your ear canal, tongue, tonsils, jaw, or side of your face. Due to the location of nerves in your head and neck, the pain is usually on one side of the face only.
The pain of glossopharyngeal neuralgia is usually in the back of the throat or tongue. Its often triggered by swallowing and usually lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes. You might feel an ache in the affected area after the acute pain episode.
The pain of trigeminal neuralgia is usually facial, but sometimes can occur in the mouth. Pain can be sudden and episodic or prolonged and progressive. Touching the face, eating, or even wind blowing on the face may set off an episode.
Both conditions are usually treated with medications used for neuropathic pain, such as carbamazepine , gabapentin , or pregabalin .
Childhood Allergies And Dental Health
Allergies can have a surprisingly long-lasting effect when theyre suffered in childhood. This is because a childs reaction to allergies has a complex interaction with their growing body. When it comes to a child suffering chronic allergies, tooth pain could well be in their future.
In general, brief, acute reactions to allergies have as much affect on children as they do on adults namely, very little. Children who experience chronic allergic reactions may require more consideration, however. Chronic environmental allergies often leads to stuffy noses, and this has an impact on the development of a childs mouth. As their mouth grows, it can adapt to the lack of air coming in through the nose, subtly changing shape and causing malocclusion, or uneven distribution of teeth in the jaw.
Dietary allergies again have a long term effect for children. Dietary allergies that result in a lack of adequate calcium and other nutrients impacts on growing teeth. A child whose diet is deficient in calcium can experience dental problems later in life.
Don’t Miss: What Allergy Medicine Is Stronger Than Zyrtec
What Causes Cavities In Kids Due To Chronic Allergies
Animal dander, dust mites, trees and flower pollen, insect stings, grass and weeds can act as triggers for allergies. Kids suffering from allergies also show the same symptoms as adults. The list includes stuffed up nose, headache, mouth breathing, snoring, coughing, and more. If ignored, some of these symptoms can lead to reduced saliva flow in the mouth, resulting in cavities. Unfortunately, even medications and inhalers, including the one for asthma, can result in a decayed tooth in kids.
Why Brushing And Flossing Arent Always The Issue
Its fascinating to me, that in the dental realm especially, we barely try to find an underlying cause to conditions such as gum disease.
Shouldnt the rising rates of gum disease raise concerns and questions? If weve gotten better at taking care of our teeth and yet periodontal disease is at an all-time high, doesnt this indicate that something else is to blame?
Maybe its not so much oral hygiene but instead a lack of the right nutrients. More than ever, we are learning about varying allergies and intolerances that cause chronic inflammatory conditions such as bleeding and swollen gums.
Since bleeding gums and allergies, by definition, are chronic inflammation doesnt it make sense that the two could be related. And if we find the solution to one issue could it positively impact the other?
The vitamin I believe to be responsible for many of my patients allergies and bleeding gums is vitamin D.
Lets take a look at five considerations that show how vitamin D deficiency could be causing allergies and gum disease.
Read Also: Loratadine Reviews
How Do Seasonal Allergies Affect Oral Health
Dry Mouth: With a stuffy nose caused by allergies, youre likely to breathe through your mouth instead of through your nose. This is one way allergies can cause a dry mouth. As well as this, many anti-allergy medications and antihistamines can cause a dry mouth. In turn, dry mouth can increase the chances of cavity development, gum disease formation, and even halitosis .
You have to keep in mind that a dry mouth causes oral problems because a dry mouth lacks the proper flow of saliva, which plays an important role in washing away harmful bacteria. For this reason, dry mouth is something youd want to avoid or get treatment for from a dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth Pain: Thanks to sinus pain caused by seasonal allergies, you may also experience tooth pain. Its not uncommon to also experience tooth sensitivity to hot and cold substances in particular.
To alleviate tooth pain caused by allergies, taking an anti-allergy medication could help. However, be informed that, as mentioned earlier, some anti-allergy medications can cause a dry mouth.
If you notice your tooth pain is still persisting regardless of taking an anti-allergy medication, take a trip to the dentist to ensure this is not tooth decay or general tooth sensitivity, not due to seasonal allergies.
Your dentist will provide you with the best possible treatment or suggest using a special toothpaste to aid with your tooth sensitivity.
How Do You Relieve Sinus Pressure In Your Teeth
Once you know for certain its allergies causing your teeth to hurt, relieving your sinus pressure is top-of-mind for reducing the ache in your teeth. Over-the-counter allergy medications are the typical go-to treatment for relieving allergy symptoms your doctor can give you a run down on the different antihistamines and which might work best for your allergies. Nasal sprays and decongestants are also often on the list of suggestions for relieving the sinus pressure that can lead to tooth pain.
You can also try some at-home remedies to soothe the sinus pain you feel in your teeth:
- Inhaling steam from a humidifier can help moisten dry sinuses and drain sinus congestion
- Spraying your nose with drugstore saline spray or homemade saline spray
- Rinsing with a neti pot
- Drinking plenty of water
- Pressing an ice pack to your cheek to numb sore gums and teeth
- Exercising to increase blood circulation and relieves congestion
- Sitting up if youre lying down to help drain sinuses
And of course, we at Okuda Orthodontics recommend being gentle on your teeth, always. Choose soft foods and soothing drinks that are teeth- and braces-friendly: soups are easy on sensitive teeth and they dont have hard bits that can damage braces or get stuck. Plus, steam from hot broth can clear sinuses! Cold foods like smoothies soothe the pain in your mouth without the need to chew.
Also Check: Fast Acting Non Drowsy Allergy Medicine
Why Allergies Sometimes Cause Tooth Pain
When the immune system combats dust and pollen, sinus pain often results. The hollow portions of the head fill with mucus, spurring pain. The largest sinuses, known as the maxillary sinuses, are positioned above the mouth. The human body generates an abundance of mucus in an attempt to eliminate allergens from the body. Yet this excess mucus allows uncomfortable pressure to build up within the head and the face. Pressure gradually builds within the sinuses that pushes down on the roots of the upper molars. Such pressure has the potential to cause a painful toothache. This pain can be partially alleviated with an antihistamine.
You can tell if you have sinus or dental pain by determining if the area around your nasal passages/forehead hurt. If there is pain in these areas as well as the teeth, it is likely the result of spring allergies or another type of allergy. If the pain persists after taking an antihistamine, do not hesitate to lean on your dentist for assistance.
How Do Allergies Cause Tooth Pain
Allergies can cause tooth pain in two main ways: increased sinus pressure and oral dryness. Seasonal allergies affect your maxillary sinuses, which are located very close to the root tips of your upper molars. When you feel pressure and congestion in the maxillary sinuses, it radiates throughout your head, face and the upper molars. If you notice pressure in your face and pain and inflammation in your upper molars, allergies are usually the culprit. The following symptoms can give you a hint that your tooth pain is caused by seasonal allergies:
- Tenderness or pressure around your eyes or forehead
- Increased nasal drip
- Sore throat
- Changes in sense of smell and taste
The reason these symptoms intertwine is due to the position of your nasal cavities. When affected by seasonal allergies, it affects your whole face. While its no fun to feel pain in several teeth during an allergic reaction, its a sign that the pain likely isnt the result of a dental issue, and thats always a good thing.
In addition to sinus pressure, allergy-sufferers also experience oral dryness. While your bodys histamine response already makes your mouth dry, its compounded when you take allergy medications. Dry mouth can cause gingivitis, tooth decay and painful sores in the mouth, in some cases. Here are some of the symptoms youll feel if you experience tooth pain due to dry mouth:
- Cracked lips
- Difficulty performing basic tasks like talking, chewing and swallowing
Also Check: Can You Eat Twix With A Peanut Allergy
Can Allergies Cause Jaw Pain On One Side
It is possible to suffer from sinusitis due to inflammation in your nasal cavities. The symptoms of sinusitis are usually caused by a cold, but allergies and other medical conditions can also contribute. You may feel pain in one or both sides of your jaw if your sinus cavities behind your cheeks, known as the maxillary sinuses, are inflamed.
Can Seasonal Allergies Affect Your Teeth
When we think of allergies, we think of the sneezing, coughing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, sinus pressure, and itchy or watery eyes. But can seasonal allergies affect your teeth too? The answer is YES.
Allergies hit hardest in spring and fall. During the spring season, flowers, trees, and grasses are blooming. And during fall, a combination of falling leaves and mold can create allergens in the air. Other allergy factors can include warm, humid weather when the air is dry and/or windy and school allergens, such as chalk dust and classroom pets.
Lets look at two ways that allergies can affect your teeth.
Tooth Pain with Seasonal Allergies and Cold Viruses
As mentioned above, allergiesand the common coldcan cause a sinus infection or sinus pressure to build up. Your sinuses are located behind your forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks. Because the teeth are located within close proximity to the maxillary sinuses above the mouth, you may feel tooth pain while experiencing seasonal allergies. This tooth pain is caused by pressure on the roots of your teeth from the surrounding sinuses.
Allergies Can Cause Cavities, Gum Disease, and Bad Breath
Seasonal allergies can also cause indirect dental problems and other oral issues. For example, when your nose is stuffy, you are forced to breathe through your mouth. While this is acceptable and not harmful for a few days, prolonged breathing through the mouth can adversely affect your teeth.
Also Check: Does Pseudoephedrine Make You Sleepy
Gum And Tonsil Swelling
A seasonal allergy also leads to post-nasal drip. When this happens, a patient often experiences swollen tonsils and a sore throat. When these symptoms are combined with xerostomia, the result is sore and swollen gums. Swollen gums can make it a challenge to brush your teeth effectively. You may also develop canker sores inside the mouth. If you have allergy-related issues that are affecting your dental health, you need to get help from an allergist. Also, contact our office about treating the related gum pain and soreness.
Do you have problems with seasonal allergies? Again, you need to contact an allergist to make sure they dont get out of hand. If you still continue to have difficulties that are affecting your dental health, you can contact us anytime. Make sure you are treating the origin of the problem and getting the dental relief you need. Call us anytime about your dental health concerns, whether they relate to an infection, decay, or an allergy.
The Effect Of Sinus On Tooth Pain & Dry Mouth
People can be allergic to air-born allergens that are surrounding their homes, offices and outdoor spaces. If you have a pet that sheds at the change of seasons, this may affect your sinuses as well.
Allergens cause the maxillary sinuses to produce an abundance of mucus to clear the body of allergies. Although this natural process can be good for your body, the sinuses can swell and cause severe pain in the roots of your upper teeth. Infection-like symptoms can be experienced once this sinus pressure builds up and pushes into the already sensitive upper molar area.
In addition to the tooth pain caused by sinus pressure on your teeth, you can also suffer dry mouth as a result of allergens. Dry mouth is known to rob the mouth of the cleansing benefits of natural saliva.
Also Check: Ara H 8 Peanut Allergy
Can Your Teeth Hurt From Sinus Pressure
It is of common knowledge that gum disease and decay can be one of the primary reasons behind a toothache. However, there are several other lesser-known factors, like the presence of sinusitis that can result in pain.
Inflammation of the nasal sinuses is caused due to bacteria associated with flu and cold. Sinus infection affects the cheekbones sinuses, resulting in pressure and toothache.
Sore Throat As A Result Of Allergy
It is unknowingly swallowing allergens like dust or pollen that results in excessive production of mucus as an allergic reaction in some patients. When it runs down the throat, it results in soreness of throat, a runny nose, coughing, and tickling. A sore throat may also cause dental pain due to swollen lymph nodes.
Recommended Reading: Common Allergy Medications List
How Allergies Can Cause Tooth Pain
- Natomas Crossing Dental Care
When you think about spring, budding trees, warmer weather and blooming flowers probably come to mind. However, while spring is a beautiful time of year, itâs also allergy season. As those newly budding and blooming plants release pollen, your allergies kick in and leave you feeling miserable. Inhale that pollen and your immune system can release histamines into your bloodstream. This may leave you with teary and itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, sinus pressure and congestion.
Watch Out For Fall Allergies
Around September, allergy triggers begin to flourish. Ragweed pollen, caused by a common North American shrub, is one of the main culprits. The lovely fall breeze carries the pollen for hundreds of miles, so even if ragweed plants doesnt grow near you, they can still cause your allergies to flare up. Autumn also stirs up mold spores and dust mites, which can trigger runny noses and watery eyes.
Read Also: Can You Develop Allergies In Your 20s
What Are Some Natural Home Remedies For Dealing With Seasonal Allergies Our Emergency Dentist In Lincoln Ne Answers
Increasing your fluid intake can help the body eliminate allergens more effectively. Also, taking Vitamin D to help support immune function, as well as avoiding dairy products, which are known to increase mucous production in some individuals, can help. If these options dont seem to be doing the trick, try staying indoors as much as possible during times with high pollen count. Frequent washing of bedding and pillowcases can also help remove residual pollen that may be found in your hair.
Wishing you health hand happiness,
Your family and emergency dentist in Lincoln, NE
Dr. Kimberly Polley
There Are 4 Types Of Sinuses Which Are All Found In Pairs With One On Each Side Of The Face
Also Check: Can You Take Allergy Medicine With Antibiotics
