The Effects Asthma Can Have On Your Oral Health

Asthma is a condition that millions of Americans live with every year and one that few know can have a direct effect on the health of our teeth. For decades science has looked at the concerns facing our body as separate, with eczema being a condition that affects only the skin and arthritis only afflicting the bones. The truth of the matter is our bodies are far more complex, and a condition that affects our breathing can, in fact, have a direct impact on our oral health.

Almost 10% of Americans Suffer From Asthma

Respiratory Concerns Are Just The Start Of Problems Asthma Sufferers Face

Suppose you consider the fact that every breath we take goes through our nose or mouth, it’s not that surprising to learn that asthma can affect our oral health directly. Adding in the fact that most asthma medications are administered orally only makes the connection make that much more sense. Consider the following oral health consequences faced by Asthma sufferers:

• Dry Mouth – Restricted airways often lead to forced mouth breathing, which serves to dry out the saliva in our mouths and reduce our resistance to tooth decay as a result. Saliva is essential in protecting our teeth from decay.

• Oral Sores – Certain medications provided to asthma sufferers to control their respiratory concerns have been linked to oral ulcers. Ulcers can be painful and make oral care difficult to manage.

• Thrush – A yeast infection that occurs in the mouth, thrush is a concern that many asthma sufferers face as a result of complications from dry mouth.

In addition to these concerns, halitosis, tooth decay, and periodontal disease can all be made more difficult to manage for asthma sufferers. While the above concerns play a role in this added difficulty, there are ways to keep them under control. Another major concern that faces asthma sufferers is allergies, which can make these conditions even more severe. Let your dentist know if you’re facing any of these complications.

Saliva is our first line of defense in the battle against tooth decay

How To Prevent Asthma Related Oral Health Concerns

As mentioned above, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the complications those with asthma experience regarding their oral health. It all starts with the usual brushing, flossing, and use of mouthwash twice a day. Another important step you can take is rinsing your mouth out after each time you need to use an inhaler. Be sure to take in sufficient water as part of this practice as well, as hydration helps to hold off conditions like dry mouth. If you have any other concerns relating to your oral health and asthma, reach out to your dentist and schedule a consultation with them today! The sooner you start managing your asthma-related oral health concerns, the less time they’ll have to damage your teeth!