Asthma Has a Role in Dental Health

Published reports have indicated that asthma and tooth decay are among the major causes of school absenteeism in the United States. Children with asthma have a significantly higher rate of decayed, missing, and filled teeth, in the primary and permanent teeth. Adults and children with asthma may require a more aggressive dental-caries?prevention protocol, once asthma is diagnosed. Individuals with asthma may be more susceptible to the following oral-health changes:

• Increased rate of caries development due to prolonged use of beta2 agonist inhalers and asthma medications that contain sugar
• Reduced salivary flow because of inhaler use
• Increased likelihood of oral tissue changes
• Increased levels of gingivitis and gum disease

Dental experts have issued the following tips for proper dental care for asthmatics:

• Make frequent dental visits to prevent gum disease and cavities
• Take caries-prevention measures by following a good home care routine
• Update the dentist about changes in medications, date of last asthma attack, last emergency room visit because of asthmatic complications, and factors that cause an asthmatic reaction
• Take preoperative medications, and bring the medications to the dentist's office