From March to September every year a problem plagues the UK population: hay fever. Hayfever is becoming increasingly problematic for many people during this period, without much relief until the pollen disperses. However, the impact of hay fever can be much more far-reaching than you might expect. Yes, that’s right, your hay fever may be having an impact on your oral health.
Understanding how hay fever may be affecting your oral health and how to treat it can be great to know during these summer months.
When the nose is stuffy, it’s quite easy to develop a dry mouth. You are likelier to breathe through your mouth and many hay fever medications do warn of dry mouth or eyes as a potential side effect, making it almost unavoidable. Having a dry mouth is uncomfortable as it does give you the feeling that you can’t swallow. But, it can have negative implications for your oral health as well.
The primary function of saliva is to remove harmful bacteria from your mouth. So, a lack of saliva can mean bacteria and the like have a perfect environment in which to grow. Which can then cause more cavities and other issues to develop over time. Gum disease can be the long-term result.
Keeping well hydrated throughout the day is important for your overall health. But, if dry throat is a common symptom of your hay fever then periodically sipping water can be vital for your long-term oral hygiene.
Irritated noses, throats and eyes are all common symptoms associated with hay fever. When you develop a sore throat it can lead to bad breath, as bacteria is moving from the nose and into the throat. This then causes an odour to develop. However, as this is an issue with the throat, this particular hay fever symptom won’t affect the overall health of your teeth.
One symptom which may accompany hay fever is toothache. This is surprising, as it is not something you would normally associate with allergies! However, a build-up of mucus in the sinuses can quickly put pressure on the roots of your teeth. This can then cause that dull ache we so often associate with a toothache.
Other than directly treating your hayfever with the appropriate drugs, there are a few ways you can help combat the symptoms as outlined by the NHS. Which, in turn, should help to reduce your chances of developing oral health issues.
It’s important to speak with your oral hygienist in regards to any dental issues that may occur as a result of your hay fever. As you may discover that it is not hay fever-related problem after all. To arrange your consultation, get in touch with the Dental Solutions team today either via the contact form or by calling on 01925 756565.
