Let’s Talk about Seasonal Allergies and Your Oral Health

Not everyone welcomes the warmer spring weather and especially those who suffer from seasonal allergies that typically flare up during spring. During spring the pollen levels can rise rapidly, and mould can send out spores. Spring can mean suffering from a stuffy nose, sneezing fits and an itchy mouth, throat or eyes, but allergies can also affect your oral health too. Usually, this is because of dry mouth.

What is Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, which can happen if you need to breathe through your mouth because of congestion. Having a dry mouth increases the risk of problems like tooth decay and gum disease, and bad breath as saliva helps to keep your mouth feeling fresh.

Preventing Dry Mouth

Ideally, it’s best to avoid allergens and to take any medicines prescribed by your doctor. If your nose is blocked, make sure you drink plenty of water and suck sugar-free sweets or chew sugar-free gum as this stimulates saliva flow. Keep up with your regular oral care routine of twice-daily brushing and once-a-day flossing. Don’t forget we are here to assist you and can offer advice on how to cope with dry mouth until the allergy season ends.