April marks the beginning of serious allergy season in West Michigan. Tree pollen from oak, birch, and maple starts filling the air, and for allergy sufferers, that means congestion, sneezing, and difficulty breathing through the nose.
Grand Rapids ranks #14 in the nation for tree pollen challenges, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. If you or your child has braces and allergies, the combination creates some specific issues worth addressing.
The Mouth Breathing Problem
When your nose is stuffed up, you breathe through your mouth. It’s unavoidable. But mouth breathing during orthodontic treatment causes several problems:
Dry mouth: Breathing through your mouth dries out oral tissues. Saliva production can’t keep up, leaving your mouth parched. This is uncomfortable on its own, but it also affects orthodontic treatment.
Reduced saliva protection: Saliva washes away food particles, neutralizes acids, and helps prevent cavities. When your mouth is dry, plaque builds up faster around brackets and at the gumline.
Irritated lips and cheeks: Dry mouth tissues are more easily irritated by brackets and wires. Sores and ulcers become more common during allergy season.
Bad breath: Without adequate saliva, bacteria flourish, and breath suffers.
A Growing Problem
A recent University of Michigan study found that allergy seasons are getting longer and more intense due to climate change. Researchers project that pollen seasons may start up to 40 days earlier and include pollen levels 200% higher than historical averages in coming years.
For orthodontic patients with allergies, this means more days dealing with congestion and its oral health effects.
Managing Dry Mouth During Allergy Season
Stay extra hydrated: Drink more water than you think you need. Keep a water bottle with you constantly and sip throughout the day.
Use a humidifier: Running a humidifier in your bedroom adds moisture to the air you’re breathing at night, which helps counteract mouth breathing effects.
Try sugar-free gum or lozenges: These stimulate saliva production. Look for products with xylitol, which may actually help prevent cavities.
Use a moisturizing mouth rinse: Products designed for dry mouth (like Biotene) can help maintain moisture levels. Use them as directed, typically before bed.
Apply lip balm frequently: Dry mouth often comes with dry, cracked lips. Keep them moisturized to prevent irritation from brackets.
Managing Allergies to Reduce Mouth Breathing
The best approach is reducing congestion so you can breathe through your nose:
Over-the-counter antihistamines**: Daily antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin, or Allegra can reduce allergy symptoms. Start taking them before peak pollen season if possible.
Nasal steroid sprays**: Products like Flonase or Nasacort reduce nasal inflammation and congestion. They’re most effective when used consistently, not just when symptoms are severe.
Nasal saline rinses: Rinsing your nasal passages with saline solution washes away pollen and reduces congestion. Many allergy sufferers find this provides immediate relief.
Keep windows closed: On high pollen days, keep car and home windows closed and run air conditioning instead.
Shower before bed: Washing pollen off your hair and skin before sleeping reduces overnight exposure.
If over-the-counter approaches aren’t managing your allergies, see an allergist. Prescription options and allergy immunotherapy can provide more significant relief.
** Please check with your physician if over-the-counter medication is safe for you.
Oral Hygiene During Allergy Season
When you’re dealing with dry mouth from allergies, oral hygiene becomes even more important:
- Brush more frequently if possible, since plaque builds up faster
- Rinse with water after eating if you can’t brush right away
- Floss daily even when you’re feeling miserable from allergies
- Avoid sugary drinks and candy that feed bacteria in a dry mouth environment
Allergy season is temporary, but cavities are permanent. Don’t let a few weeks of congestion derail your oral health.
Struggling with allergies and dry mouth? Mention it at your next appointment at Enjoy Orthodontics in Grandville or Holland. We can offer specific tips for your situation.
