It’s that time of year again—allergy season. But did you know that allergies can cause dental issues? Here’s what you should know.

The Symptoms

We’ve been seeing a lot of toothaches lately due to sinus inflammation from seasonal allergies. Symptoms are most commonly localized to the maxillary (upper) premolars and molars. You may have been feeling toothache symptoms in teeth without a reason to hurt, including:

  • Hypersensitivity to cold
  • Pain on biting
  • Sensitivity to tapping
  • Throbbing sensations

While these symptoms mimic an infected tooth, they are also indicative of sinus pressure.

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What You Should Do

Early spring conditions often lead to an increase in seasonal allergies, and some allergies can increase inflammation in the sinus membrane, resulting in generalized pain in upper premolars and molars. However, these symptoms typically manifest with seasonal allergy symptoms. If you don’t experience your usual allergy symptoms, it’s a good idea to have us take a closer look.

Treatment

Once your dentist has ruled out a tooth infection, you can treat the symptoms. To relieve sinus congestion and pressure (and in turn, tooth pain), you need to address the congestion causing the pressure. A commonly recommended trio of medications includes:

  • Antihistamine (Claritin, Allegra, Benadryl)
  • Decongestant (Pseudofed, Claritin-D)
  • Topical Nasal Spray (Afrin)

Be sure to consult your general practitioner or family doctor to ensure these medications are safe for you. If toothache symptoms persist, revisit your dentist for reevaluation or a referral to a specialist.

The Bottom Line

Your toothache might not actually be a problem with your teeth. However, even if you suspect allergies are the cause, it’s important to see your dentist to rule out other issues like decay or abscesses.

Call us to schedule an appointment! 541-548-8175