When it comes to allergies, people around the world are well-informed about allergic reactions like watery eyes, itchy nose and sneezing. However, there is lesser awareness regarding how allergies can also be a cause of toothache, decay, sore throat.
Tooth erosion, sensitivity, toothaches, mouth sores, gum disease, dry mouth, sore throat, decay, and bad breath are some of the most reported oral health issues. Studies have pointed out that dry mouth, sensitivity, pain in teeth, sore throat, and mouth sores can be allergic reactions to food items and medications. They can also be a symptom of severe medical conditions. A qualified dentist can quickly figure out if the toothache is a result of an allergy to food items or any other factors.
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 (sinus infection) is caused due to bacteria associated with flu and cold. Sinus infection affects the cheekbone’s sinuses, resulting in pressure and toothache.
How to pin-point the difference?
To confirm if it is due to sinusitis, the patient needs to perform head movements and check if the tooth pain worsens. If it does so, one can conclude the sinus infection as the reason behind the discomfort. Once confirmed, the patient can be offered treatment accordingly.
Sinus pain results in toothache like feeling due to the proximity of maxillary sinuses to upper molars. Spring allergies triggered sinus pain; toothache is also accompanied by a slight painful feeling around nasal passages and forehead area. Thus, differentiating between sinus pain and dental pain is manageable.
However, both dental, as well as allergic pain, should be taken seriously. A timely visit to your dental office remains essential.
Dry mouth triggered tooth pain and decay
Patients who suffer from allergy-related issues (pollen allergy/hay fever) during the spring suffer from dry mouth as well. Dry mouth means a reduced level of saliva, resulting in bacteria that further trigger tooth decay and pain.
Put simply, patients who experience dry mouth throughout the year due to allergy-related causes often end up with tooth pain and damaged teeth.
Dentists treat a decayed tooth with either filling or root canal procedure. Dry mouth requires changing in drinking habits as well as medication.
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.
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.
Seasonal allergies and food sensitivities
Seasonal allergies (including inflammation in the nose) can be a result of exposure to airborne substances like pollen, mold, dust mites, pet hair, fur feathers, etc. As some of these substances appear only during specific seasons, their allergic reactions are referred to as seasonal allergies. Symptoms like snoring, mouth breathing, sinuses linked headache, coughing, blocked sinuses, and stuffed up nose are displayed by patients suffering from allergies.
Besides the above, even food items can result in dental problems. Some patients often report a feeling of discomfort when they eat or drink specific foods.
Handling food sensitivities
Some people experience discomfort in their teeth when they drink tomato soup, orange juice, sports drinks, and surprisingly, even yogurt. That’s because their teeth become sensitive to highly acidic food items.
The best way to treat this problem is by neutralizing the acidity of these items by opting for alkaline food items (pH value above 7.1). A balance between alkaline and acidic foods helps in controlling reaction and maintaining oral health.
Individuals with sensitive teeth should avoid opting for foods that are too cold or hot. Toothache experienced while consuming alcoholic beverages, ice-cream, coffee, candies, and sugary fruit juices indicate tooth sensitivity, enamel damage. Such patients need to opt for a dental check-up and get treated during the initial stages itself to avoid further damage to their teeth.
Oral allergy syndrome
Another type of allergy linked to pollen is the food-related oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Certain fruits and vegetables have a structure similar to pollen. Thus, the immune system of individuals suffering from allergies triggers allergic reaction due to cross-reactivity when the person eats the selected foods.
Items like fresh herbs, cucumbers, peaches, tomatoes, apples, cherries, oranges, and bananas can trigger allergic reactions like swelling of lips, scratchy throat, tingling feeling on the tongue, nasal congestion and constant sneezing.
The best way to control OAS symptoms is opting for canned fruits and vegetables, cooking, or heating vegetables before eating. Such patients should also make sure they peel the skin of fruits and vegetables before eating.
Allergic reactions caused due to toothpaste and dental care products
Along with allergies to metals and dental filling materials, a minor percentage of patients also report an allergic reaction to toothpaste.
Symptoms include peeling and itching of lips, irritated tongue, swollen gums, and sores in the mouth. Flavourings and other ingredients present in specific oral care, dental products can cause the same. Of course, avoiding these products is the best option. Dentists may also recommend low-potency topical steroid and other medication to deal with the allergic reaction.
Do you wish to discuss more on possible allergic reactions resulting in dental issues? You can always make an appointment at Roswell (GA) based TruCare Dentistry to know more about the same.