The Effect Of Post Nasal Drip On Your Teeth And Gums
Posted on: 29 January 2019
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If you suffer from post nasal drip because of chronic allergies, infections, or a deviated septum, then you may be familiar with its symptoms. They include mucus running down your throat, coughing, scratchy throat, and a bad taste in your mouth. In addition to affecting your sinuses and throat, post nasal drip can have a negative effect on your gums and teeth. Here are some ways post nasal drip can harm your gum tissue and teeth and what you can do about them.
Periodontitis
When bacteria-laden mucus from your nose drips down your throat, you may be susceptible to a severe form of gum disease known as periodontitis. This can occur when infection-causing mucus constantly makes contact with your oral tissues and gums.
If not recognized and treated appropriately, periodontitis can raise the risk for destruction of the bones that support your teeth. At the first sign of gum irritation, redness, inflammation, pain, or bleeding, see your dentist. He or she will evaluate your gum tissue to determine if you have periodontitis, and if you do, he or she might refer you to a dental specialist known as a periodontist. A periodontist is a dentist specializing in the diagnosis and management of gum disease.
Strep Throat
Because the mucus that drips down your throat is often rich in infection-causing microorganisms, you may be at risk for developing strep throat or other bacterial throat infections. If strep throat is not recognized and treated with the appropriate antibiotic, a systemic strep infection may develop.
This can cause severe joint pain and inflammation, and in certain cases, lead to organ damage and heart problems. If you have post nasal drip, your physician may perform a nasal culture to determine which type of microorganism is proliferating inside your nasal cavity. In addition to a severe sore throat, strep throat can also cause chills and fever, body aches, weakness, and pus pockets in the crypts of your tonsils. It can also cause referred dental pain, which may be mistaken for a toothache caused by a cavity.
If you have post nasal drip as a result of allergies or an infection, work with both your physician and dentist. When both of these health professionals are treating your condition, you will be less likely to develop complications such as periodontitis, oral bone damage, bacterial infections of the throat, a systemic strep infection, or a constant bad taste in your mouth.