From Itchy Lips to Swollen Gums: Unpacking Oral Allergy Syndrome

Have you ever noticed your lips tingling or your gums feeling swollen after eating certain fruits or vegetables? If you struggle with seasonal allergies or pollen sensitivities, you might be dealing with more than just sneezing and itchy eyes. Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) could be affecting your mouth and gums, too.

But don’t worry, understanding OAS is the first step to managing it. Let’s dive into what OAS is, how it affects your oral health, and what you can do about it.

What is Oral Allergy Syndrome?

We often hear about how allergies affect our skin or respiratory system, but did you know they can impact your oral health as well? 

Enter Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), a condition where people with pollen allergies experience discomfort in their mouth after eating certain raw fruits, vegetables, or nuts. If you have OAS, you too might feel itching, tingling, or swelling in your lips, tongue, gums, or throat. 

So why does this happen? 

This happens because the proteins in raw foods can look a lot like these pollen proteins, tricking your immune system into thinking they’re harmful. This confusion sets off the symptoms of OAS. 

OAS is particularly common among people with asthma or hay fever, making them more likely to experience these symptoms when pollen counts are high.

3 Types of Oral Allergy Syndrome

If you’re experiencing discomfort in your mouth after eating something your body is allergic to or being exposed to pollen, it’s probably either one of these three: 

1. Tooth Pain

Your allergies are acting up, but why are your teeth hurting? Allergies can cause you to feel tooth pain, especially in the molars. Your maxillary sinuses are usually affected by allergies. Congestion and pressure build in them. This is what can create the pressure that you feel in your face and head, but it also places that pressure on the roots of your teeth.

Since the root tips of your upper molars sit very close to your sinuses, the pressure and congestion can affect the roots of your teeth. The result is pain and inflammation in the upper molars.

2. Dry Mouth & Bad breath

As you become congested you tend to breathe through your mouth more, leading to dry mouth conditions. As you breathe through your mouth your saliva dries up creating an ideal environment for cavities. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health, including deterring tooth decay, neutralising acids, and washing away debris.

In addition to the natural effects of allergies, antihistamines further contribute to dry mouth. Allergy medications dry up the mucus in the sinuses and the saliva in your mouth. A lack of saliva can not only affect your teeth but also cause bad breath.

3. Swollen Gums and / or Throat

While bacteria and vigorous brushing can cause your gums to swell, allergies can trigger an immune response, leading to inflamed, irritated and swollen gums and throat. As the pain keeps you from brushing as much as you need to, it makes it hard to reach some areas. Over time, this can cause gingivitis. 

If left untreated gingivitis can progress into periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals with allergies to take extra care in maintaining their oral hygiene to prevent such complications.

To avoid these syndromes, it is essential to treat your seasonal allergies with the proper medications, stay hydrated to fight dry mouth and keep up with your routine dental check-ups.

Which Foods Commonly Trigger Oral Allergy Syndrome?

Allergies are different for everyone, but there are certain foods which are more prone to triggering an allergy. To give you an idea, here’s a non-comprehensive list of food types that have proteins which mimic pollen: 

Not everyone will experience allergies to these foods of course. Only certain individuals with specific sensitivities may have a reaction, so it’s always a good practice to keep track of any symptoms. 

How to Manage Oral Allergy Syndrome

While there’s no cure for Oral Allergy Syndrome, you can take steps to prevent and manage its symptoms. Here’s how:

Avoid Trigger Foods

The easiest way to prevent OAS symptoms is to avoid eating raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, or other foods that trigger your reactions – such as the ones mentioned above. 

But what if they’re some of your favourites? Well, cooking these foods can often destroy the proteins that cause OAS, making them slightly safer to eat.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water helps keep your mouth moist and reduces the risk of dry mouth. This is especially important if you’re taking antihistamines, which can contribute to dehydration.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Stick to your regular brushing and flossing routine, even if your gums feel swollen. This will help prevent plaque buildup and reduce the risk of gum disease.

Take Allergy Medications

Managing your seasonal allergies with medications can reduce the severity of OAS symptoms. Antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants can help control your overall allergic response.

Treatment and Consultation

There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for Oral Allergy Syndrome, but managing your allergies can help. If you suspect you’re experiencing OAS, it’s important to consult both a doctor and your dentist. 

Your GP or an allergist can work with you to identify specific allergens and recommend treatments, such as allergy shots or prescription medications, that may help reduce your symptoms.

A dentist can help you manage oral symptoms like dry mouth, tooth pain, or swollen gums. Regular dental check-ups are key in preventing more serious issues like gum disease. 

Conclusion

For those who are already aware of their allergies, avoiding certain foods can help prevent Oral Allergy Syndrome. 

However for those who may be experiencing these symptoms for the first time, it’s good to be reminded that Oral Allergy Syndrome isn’t something to be embarrassed about. 

Sometimes our bodies change as we age, contributing to new allergies that interfere with our daily lives. Getting the right diagnosis and advice can help you manage your Oral Allergy Syndrome effectively. 

If you think you may be experiencing Oral Allergy Syndrome, let our dentists know at your next Smile Place Dental appointment so we can help you manage these symptoms better. 

FAQ

What is Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS)?

OAS is an oral symptom from a food or respiratory allergy that causes itching, tingling, or swelling in the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. A dentist might help by identifying symptoms that overlap with other oral conditions and referring you to an allergist if needed.

What are the common symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome?

Common symptoms include itching, tingling, or swelling in the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat. Tooth pain, dry mouth and bad breath are also symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome.

Which foods commonly trigger Oral Allergy Syndrome?

Raw fruits (like apples and peaches), vegetables (like carrots and celery), nuts (like almonds and cashews), and spices can trigger Oral Allergy Syndrome. 

Why do certain foods cause Oral Allergy Syndrome?

The proteins in these foods are similar to pollen proteins, causing an allergic reaction. Dentists can help by educating patients on the link between OAS symptoms and dietary triggers, and may collaborate with allergists to provide comprehensive care.

How to reduce symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome?

Avoiding trigger foods is key to managing Oral Allergy Syndrome but cooking these foods help too. Cooking breaks down the proteins that cause OAS, reducing symptoms.

Is Oral Allergy Syndrome a serious condition?

Oral Allergy Syndrome is usually mild but can cause discomfort. Dentists can assess the severity of oral symptoms, provide relief strategies, and refer patients to allergists for a comprehensive evaluation if symptoms are severe or persistent.

Can Oral Allergy Syndrome be treated?

There’s no specific treatment for Oral Allergy Syndrome, but avoiding trigger foods can help. Dentists can offer support by managing oral health issues related to Oral Allergy Syndrome and suggesting treatments to alleviate symptoms or discomfort.

How can a dentist help with Oral Allergy Syndrome?

Dentists can help by understanding how OAS might affect oral health and collaborating with allergists to provide comprehensive care for allergies that impact both oral and overall health. They may also monitor oral health to ensure symptoms are not mistaken for other conditions.