How a Deviated Septum May Impact Your Dental Health

Although your mouth and nose are connected, many people do not consider the impact one has on the other. For example, your nasal septum is a thin inner wall of bone and cartilage that separates your nasal cavities. When your septum is normal, your nasal passages are equal in size. When your septum shifts to one side or the other, professionals consider it deviated and can impact your dental health.

Below is more information on how your septum becomes deviated and the difficulties the deviation can cause. 

How Does Your Septum Become Deviated?

If your doctor has told you that you have a deviated septum, it is usually nothing to concern yourself with. It is one of the most common nose deformities and affects approximately 70 - 80% of patients who doctors examine.

Numerous factors can cause your septum becomes deviated. Some of these include the following:

• Auto accidents
• Birth injuries
• Facial impact
• Genetics
• Sports injuries

Minor deviations usually cause no problems and may not present any symptoms. Many people never know they have a problem. Moderate to significant deviations can cause obstructions to your airflow that require treatment.

What Type of Symptoms Can a Deviated Septum Cause?

Moderate to major deviations are typically discernable due to the symptoms you experience. These symptoms vary from person to person, but some of the more common ones include the following:

• Chronic post-nasal drip
• Crooked nose appearance
• Difficulty breathing 
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Mouth breathing
• Significant congestion
• Sleep disturbances due to noisy breathing 

Some people may also experience facial pain or headaches. The deviation does not necessarily cause this pain. Pressure the deviation places on your other nasal tissues may cause this pain. 

How Does a Deviated Septum Impact Your Oral Health?

Because a deviated septum can cause breathing issues, it can also impact your dental health. A person with a nasal blockage often compensates by breathing through their mouth.

Breathing through your mouth dries up your saliva, which is the protective liquid used by your mouth to protect your teeth and gums. This substance, constructed from water, electrolytes, enzymes, and mucus, creates a protective layer on your teeth and evens out irregularities on your teeth' surfaces, keeping them smooth and lubricated. 

The warm, moist environment of your mouth is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, yeast, and protozoa. These organisms are kept alive and fed by the food you eat. Your saliva flushes out these decay-causing bacteria from your mouth and into your digestive system. When saliva is absent, the bacteria build up in your mouth, causing gum disease and tooth decay. 

The lack of saliva can also dry out your gums, which can affect how your teeth develop or shift. Oral dryness can also lead to bleeding gums and an increased risk of gingivitis and bad breath. 

In addition to dying up your saliva, mouth breathing caused by a deviated septum can also cause swollen tonsils. Swollen tonsils can further obstruct your airways leading to obstructive sleep apnea. 

What Can You Do?

If you have a deviated septum that is causing you problems, you first need to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor. An ENT will examine you and prescribe appropriate treatment for your condition. If your condition is severe, they may suggest a septoplasty, a surgical intervention to repair your septum.

You also need to ensure a Periodontist follows you for gum concerns caused by your condition. If you are in the Naples, Florida, area, we would love for you to visit Dr. Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC. We offer many dental services, including laser periodontal therapy and periodontal disease treatments. Call us today to schedule your appointment.