Did you know that seasonal changes can impact your oral health? Many allergy sufferers experience tooth, throat and mouth discomfort while experiencing sinus issues and hay fever. Here’s how seasonal allergies can impact oral health and what you can do about it.
Bad Breath and Sore Throat – Bad breath can be related to untreated nasal congestion, which can lead to a sore throat developing and its resultant bacteria creating a foul mouth odour. Postnasal drip causes this and because you can’t clean your throat, it’s difficult to get rid of.
Dry Mouth – A stuffy nose means encourages mouth breathing, which dries out your mouth. It’s also caused by a reaction to certain antihistamines that relieve nasal congestion and sneezing. Saliva protects teeth from decay by washing away bacteria and food particles which is why a dry mouth is more prone to cavities and tooth decay.
Toothaches – Painful teeth may be an allergy symptom. Sinus pain is caused by pollen and dust impacting one’s immune system. This causes mucus to build up in your sinuses where they become congested, pressurising your teeth and nerves and causing sensitivity and toothaches.
So how can you prevent the above form occurring?
- Stay hydrated: Drinking lots of water keeps your mouth hydrated. This counteracts a dry mouth as it washes away the buildup of mucus.
- Gargle with salt water: Salt draws mucus out of the sinuses. Gargle with a solution consisting of a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of water to reduce and flush away accumulated bacteria, relieving throat pains and reducing bad breath and plaque.
- Treat your teeth: Regular brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day is important to maintain good oral health and also reduce the effects of dry mouth.
- Treat your allergies: Avoiding anything that causes or triggers your allergies. Treat them with prescriptions after consulting with your doctor, ensuring it has no side effects.
- Talk to a dentist: Probably the most effective and useful step is talking to a dentist. At Apple dental, our professional dentists can identify root causes of your oral problems. Whether its allergy-related or not, we’ll figure it out and provide the ideal treatment.
Get in touch with us for a consultation if you’re experiencing any dental issues today.
As the year comes to the end, many personal investments we’ve made come to fruition. While you’re busy planning your holiday and going Christmas shopping, make sure you don’t forget to lodge your health insurance claims before the end of 2018. Many Aussies forget this and assume their doctor will do it on their behalf, while others dread the process, thinking its lengthy and complicated. Whichever group you fall into, if you’re paying up to $600 a year and not reaping the rewards of this private health insurance benefit, you’re losing out on what you’ve already paid for. Here are some answers to questions you might have in mind regarding dental health fund rebates and what you need to do to get them.
hese tasty lamb cutlets are quick and easy to make and are perfect served with a fresh green salad.
Wedding season is a time to smile, but do your teeth look their best? If they could use a little help, we have some easy suggestions to help your pearly whites sparkle.
Anyone who has ever put up with the misery of hay fever will dread the warmer weather. Listed below are a few ways to naturally control your symptoms this spring.
Did you realise oral health and mental health are intimately connected? Many people are unaware of this link, and even scientists are not quite sure of the exact connection.
Everybody leads such busy lives that it can be tricky to relax, and often good quality sleep is sacrificed as we struggle to find more time in the day. But, good quality sleep is crucial and affects just about every part of your body, including appetite, your immune system, cardiovascular health, blood pressure and breathing. While you are asleep, your body produces hormones that help to repair cells, regulating energy use and these hormones can affect your weight. When you don’t receive enough sleep your risk of developing heart disease, infections or struggling with your weight increases. Most adults need approximately 7-8 hours of sleep each night, while young children need 10 hours each night. Teenagers need about 9 hours sleep.
If you have already lost teeth or are facing tooth loss imminently, dental implants could be the long-term solution you have been seeking. The great thing about dental implants is that they look, feel and function just like real teeth, and they provide some significant benefits for dental health.
Your body needs certain nutrients to fight infection and to repair the damage. If your diet is deficient in these nutrients, then you might find it harder to fight infections like periodontal disease (gum disease) and which is a major cause of tooth loss. Choosing foods that are high in sugars or starches can also harm your dental health. Bacteria naturally present in the mouth use starchy and sugary foods for energy, producing acid that gradually erodes tooth enamel, increasing the risk of cavities. If you like to eat lots of acidic foods, then the effect is worsened.
This tasty and healthy recipe can easily be adapted to include whatever fresh vegetables you have in your fridge.