The Surprising Link Between Allergies and Oral Health

How Allergies and Allergy Medications

Affect Your Oral Health

Spring is in full swing, which means pollen levels are up, and so are allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. While you may be reaching for tissues and allergy meds, what you might not realize is how seasonal allergies and their treatments can impact your oral health.

At Sunshine City Dentistry, we believe in whole-body health. Yes, that includes understanding how your sinuses, breathing, and medications can affect your teeth and gums. Let’s break it down!

Mouth Breathing Dries Out the Mouth

When your nose is stuffy from allergies, it’s common to breathe through your mouth, especially while sleeping. The problem? Mouth breathing reduces saliva production, which is essential for maintaining a healthy mouth.

Saliva helps:

• Wash away food particles

• Neutralize harmful acids

• Keep your enamel strong

• Prevent cavities and gum disease

Without enough saliva, you may be at increased risk of:

• Tooth decay

• Bad breath

• Gum irritation or inflammation

Allergy Medications Can Cause Dry Mouth

Antihistamines, which are widely used to relieve allergy symptoms, often have dry mouth as a side effect. A dry mouth environment is a playground for cavity-causing bacteria.

If you're taking allergy medications like:

• Claritin (loratadine)

• Zyrtec (cetirizine)

• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)

…you’re more likely to experience dry mouth, which can compound the effects of mouth breathing and raise your risk for plaque buildup and tooth sensitivity.

Postnasal Drip and Gum Irritation

Postnasal drip, another common allergy symptom, can also irritate the back of your throat and gum tissue, contributing to inflammation and discomfort. Some patients report sore or swollen gums during allergy season.

Brighten Up Your Look with Teeth Whitening

With the sun shining brighter, why not make your smile just as radiant? Teeth whitening is one of the quickest and most effective ways to boost your confidence and give your smile a fresh, polished look. Professional whitening at Sunshine City Dentistry offers several advantages over at-home kits, including:

• Fast Results: In just one visit, you can see a significant difference in the brightness of your teeth.

• Safety First: Our whitening treatments are carefully administered to avoid sensitivity and protect your enamel.

• Customization: We tailor the whitening process to your specific needs, ensuring optimal and consistent results.

If your smile has lost a bit of its sparkle from coffee, tea, or holiday treats, a professional whitening treatment is the ideal way to welcome spring. Plus, nothing complements a freshly cleaned smile quite like a set of beautifully white teeth!

Tips to Protect Your Oral Health During Allergy Season

Here’s what you can do to keep your smile healthy while managing allergy symptoms:

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help counteract dry mouth.

• Use a Humidifier: Keeping moisture in the air can help reduce dry mouth caused by mouth breathing at night.

• Chew Sugar-Free Gum: Stimulates saliva flow and helps neutralize acids.

• Brush and Floss Twice Daily: Don’t skip your oral hygiene, especially if your mouth is feeling dry.

• Come See Us! If it’s been a while since your last cleaning, allergy season is the perfect time to check in.

Allergies may seem unrelated to your oral health, but they can have more of an impact than you think—especially during spring and summer. If you’re noticing changes in your mouth, dryness, or more frequent cavities, it might be time to revisit your oral care routine or schedule a visit.

At Sunshine City Dentistry in St. Petersburg, FL, we’re here to help you breathe easier and smile brighter—through every season.