Warm weather and sunshine finally may be here to stay for a while! Although the weather is beautiful, asthma and allergy sufferers know that this time of year can wreak havoc on and exacerbate respiratory conditions. Did you know that along with the standard symptoms of congestion and irritation, respiratory conditions and allergies can also affect your dental health?
Asthma and allergies can cause dry mouth due to certain medications used to alleviate these conditions such as nasal decongestants and inhalers. Also, when airways get restricted, you are more apt to breathe through your mouth. As saliva is a natural way to help your body wash away harmful bacteria when your mouth is dry these cavity-causing bacteria linger and multiply. Asthma sufferers who use inhalers can also run the risk of throat irritation.
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month so consider these tips as the weather gets warmer and spring comes to life.
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated to help support your body’s natural production of saliva.
- If you use an inhaler, rinse your mouth with water after use.
- Be mindful of enjoying too many sugary drinks and cool sweet treats as the weather warms up. By avoiding cavity-causers in general, you help support your dental health.
- Effectively treating your allergies can help support better respiratory health and limit the need to breathe through your mouth, avoiding drying out your mouth.
- Keep your regularly scheduled dental appointments and brush and floss as usual to keep plaque at bay.
A few simple steps can help not only provide comfort but also avoid dental issues.
