Can Allergies Cause Dry Mouth?

When allergy season is in full swing, it can affect many aspects of your life including your oral health. Unfortunately, allergies can contribute to dry mouth and this, in turn, can lead to poor oral hygiene and oral health. Allergies tend to cause an increased production of mucus, running eyes, and lots of sneezing. When this happens, those who suffer from allergies are more likely to breathe through their mouth, rather than their nose. Constant mouth breathing can cause a feeling of dry mouth.

Antihistamine and Dry Mouth

Additionally, many of the antihistamines on the market cause dehydration and dry mouth as side effects. If prolonged, a dry mouth can increase your risk of cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. However, there are certain steps you can take to decrease your likelihood of dry mouth during allergy season.

Most Common Allergies & Dry Mouth

The most common seasonal allergy is allergic rhinitis or hay fever. The primary culprits of hay fever include pollen, grass, flowering plants, trees, and mold. If you are allergic to one of these allergens, you may experience a runny or stuffy nose, sore or itchy throat, headache, watery eyes, sneezing, fluid in your ears, cough, and trouble breathing or wheezing. Ultimately, all of these symptoms by themselves or in combination will normally block the passage of air through your nose and force you to breathe through your mouth, this is why you will experience dry mouth. 

Besides the symptoms of the allergy themselves that cause dry mouth, over-the-counter or prescription drugs that you take to counter the allergies will also sometimes elevate the dryness in your oral cavity.

How Long Do Allergies Last?

You'll be relieved to know that allergies don't continue forever. Even the worst allergy symptoms of the mouth and throat will subside in 2 to 4 weeks. However, even for the weeks that you are experiencing an allergy, you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences of dry mouth and especially bad breath. Continue reading, and you'll find some helpful tips on how to alleviate the symptoms and restore your comfort.

Why Should You Prevent Dry Mouth

Dry mouth and throat are some of the most prominent symptoms of seasonal allergies. Other than the annoying sensation and difficulty with speaking and swallowing, there are other problems too that may result from a dry mouth. Here are some of the side effects of a dry mouth:

● Sore Throat

All the symptoms of allergies, including dry mouth and sore throat, are interlinked so that it gets difficult to differentiate one from the other. However, one of the major reasons for scratchy throat and constant coughing is dry mouth. When less saliva is available to soothe the mucosa from your throat, a dry and itchy throat is almost inevitable.

● Dental Health Problems

Dry mouth may be the result of a lowered rate of saliva production inside your mouth. Saliva helps wash away food particles and neutralize bacteria. In addition, it also carries useful minerals to your teeth that help in repairing dental enamel. If there isn't enough saliva inside your mouth, mouth bacteria may thrive, and eventually result in gum disease, cavities, tooth pain, and various other dental problems.

Can Allergies Cause Bad Breath?

Other than the irritation and dental health problems that may result from dry mouth, another reason why you want to avoid it is bad breath. Nobody wants to be in public with an odor lingering around them.

This mortifying condition, again, results from the inadequacy of saliva in your mouth. Saliva helps get rid of the leftover food particles and bacteria inside your mouth. In addition to good oral hygiene, saliva also helps keep your oral cavity clean.

When there isn’t enough saliva present in the mouth, food particles and bacteria may stay in the mouth for longer periods between brushing.

How To Avoid Bad Breath During Allergies

Since you already know that allergy symptoms and dry mouth may eventually lead to bad breath, it’s best to take necessary precautions. Here’s how you can avoid bad breath or treat it if you’re already experiencing it:
● Brush regularly and thoroughly
● Clean your tongue after brushing your teeth
● Rinse regularly with a mouthwash, such as AO ProRinse - Hydrating
● Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and help prevent the feeling of a dry mouth

How to Prevent Dry Mouth Caused by Allergies

Fortunately, there are many steps you can take at home to prevent the feeling of dry mouth and its effects on your oral hygiene and oral health. Try the following recommendations during allergy season to keep that feeling of a dry mouth at bay:

• Drink Water: It’s crucial to regularly drink water throughout the day. You should drink at least 8 glasses of water every day to stay hydrated and to keep your feeling mouth moist. Not only will this help with any feeling you have of a dry mouth, it can also help to rid your body of excess mucus.

• Keep Up Your Oral Hygiene Routine: You should brush twice per day, floss daily, and rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash to help decrease the buildup of plaque and bacteria.

• Understand Your Allergies: Learn what you are allergic to and discuss treatment options with your doctor. This may mean a long-term prescription medication to keep your allergies under control.

• Visit Your Dentist: It’s important to visit your dentist every six months to ensure your teeth, gums, and mouth are healthy and cavity-free. Additionally, you can discuss potential options to alleviate your feeling of a dry mouth with your dentist.

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