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PUBLISHED ON 05/09/23
As asthma can be triggered by high pollen counts in the air from trees, grass, and flowers, causing inflammation and a narrowing of the lungs, spring is a hazardous time for sufferers of the disease. During asthma attacks, an individual can experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. These symptoms are often alleviated by asthma medications taken through an inhaler.
However, studies have found that those who use asthma medications and who are affected by asthma are at a higher risk of oral health issues.
So, how does asthma affect oral health?
Asthma itself doesn’t harm our oral health. However, asthma medications, medical issues associated with asthma and coping strategies can make sufferers more susceptible to oral health problems. Such problems can include:
1. Dry mouth (xerostomia)
A side effect of some asthma medications is the reduction of saliva and salivary enzyme production, resulting in dry mouth. This can be coupled with people with asthma adopting mouth-breathing as a coping mechanism to reduce strain when breathing. Dry mouth can result in oral tissues becoming inflamed, which can cause persistent gum disease and tooth decay.
2. Oral thrush (candidiasis)
Oral thrush is a fungal infection that is associated with some asthma medications. Oral thrush can cause the soft tissue in the mouth to become inflamed and bleed.
3. Tooth decay
Studies have shown that individuals with asthma are 75% more likely to suffer from acid reflux – a backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus and mouth. Stomach acid can eat away at your tooth enamel, making people with asthma more susceptible to tooth erosion, cavities and tooth decay.
4. Poor dental hygiene
For some people, the anxiety associated with going to the dentist can trigger an asthma attack. For this reason, they will often avoid dental check-ups. However, dental check-ups and professional teeth cleanings are imperative to good oral health. Without regular check-ups, minor oral health issues can become painful and expensive dental emergencies.
Other issues associated with asthma
Some tactics you can try include:
Taking care of your teeth when living with asthma
With so many implications on oral health, you must take extra steps to protect your teeth if you’re living with asthma.
1. Managing your asthma
The best way to prevent asthma-associated oral caries is to make a plan to manage your asthma. This is particularly important during spring when the pollen count is high, and asthma attacks are more common. Some things you can do to reduce asthma attacks during the spring include:
2. Use a spacer
A lot of the time, asthma medication stays inside your mouth or enters your stomach instead of travelling to your lungs. Spacers hold the medicine in a chamber to allow you to breathe it in deeply rather than swallow. Spacers not only ensure that the medication goes where it needs to but also reduce the harsh, bitter taste of the medication on your tongue—preventing the need for some individuals to rinse their mouths with sugary, acidic drinks.
3. Chew sugar-free gum
Sugar-free gum is an excellent option for removing any unwanted flavours in your mouth from the medication without adding more sugar residues. It also promotes the production of saliva, further protecting your teeth from cavities and washing away sugar and acid in the mouth.
4. Drink water
Asthma medication can leave a harsh, bitter flavour lingering in the mouth. As a result, some people opt to wash the taste of the medicine away with a sweet treat or sugary drink. A diet high in sugar can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Instead, opt to wash away any unwanted flavours with water. Drinking water will also prevent dry mouth caused by the medication or mouth breathing – preventing tissue inflammation.
5. Choose dental appointments wisely.
Dental anxiety can trigger asthma events causing people to avoid visiting the dentist – even during emergencies. To prevent this, we recommend booking your appointments early in the morning to reduce the amount of time your anxiety can build up before your visit. And, to be safe, please don’t forget to bring your inhaler or any other asthma medication you might need if your asthma is triggered.
Children, asthma and oral health
Children, asthma and oral health
Children can often struggle with managing their asthma independently, putting them at a higher risk of dental caries associated with the condition. For example, the lifesaving medication used when asthma is triggered can leave a horrible taste in the mouth resulting in children refusing to take it. To combat this, some caretakers will opt to incentivise children by offering them a sweet treat or drink to wash away the taste. However, these drinks do more than replace the lingering bitterness – they can erode the tooth enamel, cause cavities and contribute to gum disease. At Maidstone Dental, we encourage parents and caregivers to allow children to wash away bad flavours with water instead. But we know this isn’t always possible. So, if your child insists on something sweet, follow the sweets with a rinse of water afterwards.
Additionally, the abruptness of inhaled asthma medications can result in them not being taken correctly. Instead of inhaling deep into the lungs, the medication can remain in the mouth or travel to the stomach. This can cause gum irritation, dry mouth and cavities. It’s essential that children properly take the medication that can save their lives. To combat this, children should use a spacer to ensure that the medication is inhaled deep into the lungs.
Worried about the damage asthma has done to your child’s or your teeth? Book an appointment with Maidstone Dental today.
