Two Sides of a Coin: Dental Care and Sore Throat Care

Scratchy, sore throats irritate many people each day. When you begin to feel a sore throat, do you wonder whether it’s from allergies or a cold? Are you afraid that you may be getting tonsillitis or strep throat? Have you done something recently that could cause throat irritation?

Causes of a Sore Throat

No one enjoys getting sick. A sore throat is often the first sign of several  illnesses including the common cold, strep throat, and tonsillitis. A cold is a virus that runs its course for a week or more without a cure. Another common virus, influenza (AKA the flu) can include sore throat as a symptom that is accompanied by fever and body aches. Strep throat and tonsillitis fall in the category of bacterial infections. Strep throat symptoms include sore throat and fever, but do not include cold-like symptoms of runny or stuffy nose. Tonsillitis, an inflammation of the tonsils created by virus or bacteria, can be very painful. Doctors prescribe strep throat and bacterial tonsillitis with antibiotics to eliminate the infection. Finally, an estimated 50 million Americans suffer from various types of allergies. Allergy sufferers sometimes get sore throats and mistake this ongoing issue for a cold.

Dental Implications

Although uncommon, dental patients occasionally complain of sore throat following a long procedure such as a root canal and dental crown placement. Most likely, dry throat occurs from holding the mouth open for an extended period. It’s possible that muscles are strained during the process and this could manifest as throat pain. Lastly, a substance from a dental procedure could go into the throat and cause an irritation. In a day or two, sore throats of this kind are likely to pass. However, if you’re sure you are ill from a viral or bacterial infection and you have a dental appointment, it’s wise to reschedule until you are well so you don’t exacerbate your illness or spread germs around.

About Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas:

Whether you wish to protect your smile from dental disease and damage, or restore your smile after suffering tooth loss, we can help you regain your oral health and confidence through a new and improved smile. Dr. Maria and Dr. Thanasi Loukas are highly-skilled restorative and cosmetic dentists serving the Park Ridge and surrounding Chicago communities. To schedule an appointment, call Loukas General Dentistry today at (847) 696-1919.