How to protect your teeth while using asthma medication
Managing asthma with medication is key to keeping symptoms under control, but it could also impact your oral health in ways you might not expect. While it’s important for asthma medication to reach your airways, it’s also necessary to clear it from your mouth to protect your oral health. With a few simple steps, you can help protect your teeth and gums while continuing to manage your asthma effectively.
Inhalers can decrease saliva production and cause a dry mouth, which is not only uncomfortable but can also increase the risk of tooth decay. Saliva protects teeth by washing away bits of food, neutralising acids, and removing harmful bacteria.
Tip: When using a puffer, always rinse your mouth afterwards and drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Inhaled corticosteroids, often found in puffers, can affect the immune system and increase the risk of oral thrush. Also known as candidiasis, oral thrush occurs due to the overgrowth of the naturally occurring yeast, Candida albicans. This fungal infection is diagnosed with a swab test and symptoms include white patches in the mouth that can be painful or uncomfortable. Your dentist can treat thrush with medications, such as lozenges, tablets or mouthwashes.
Tip: Use a spacer device when using your inhaler to reduce the side effects of the medications within your mouth.
Studies have shown there is an association between asthma and periodontal disease1. Further studies are needed to make conclusions, but early findings suggests that dental treatment may improve asthma symptoms2. One study showed that regular 6-month dental scaling helped to reduce immune reactions that causes gingivitis, improved quality of life and responsiveness to asthma treatment3.
Tip: Visit your dentist every 6 months for a check-up and clean.
If you’ve been prescribed asthma medication, it’s important to keep using it as directed. These treatments play a key role in keeping symptoms under control and helping you breathe easier and live well. While some medications may cause side effects like dry mouth, these can usually be managed with the oral care habits listed above. Your doctor can also assist with managing asthma treatment side effects. If you notice any changes in your mouth or teeth, speak to your dentist – it only takes 2 minutes to book online.
Sources:
https://www.teeth.org.au/asthma
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/oral-thrush/symptoms-causes/syc-20353533
1Tamiya H, Abe M, Nagase T, Mitani A. The Link between Periodontal Disease and Asthma: How Do These Two Diseases Affect Each Other? J Clin Med. 2023 Oct 25;12(21):6747. doi: 10.3390/jcm12216747. PMID: 37959214; PMCID: PMC10650117.
2Enomoto A., Lee A.D., Shimoide T., Takada Y., Kakiuchi Y., Tabuchi T. Is discontinuation of dental treatment related to exacerbation of systemic medical diseases in Japan? Br. Dent. J. 2023 doi: 10.1038/s41415-023-5690-3
3Nelwan SC, Nugraha RA, Endaryanto A, Dewi F, Nuraini P, Tedjosasongko U, Utomo DH. Effect of scaling and root planing on level of immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G4 in children with gingivitis and house-dust mite allergy: A pilot randomised controlled trial. Singapore Dent J. 2019 Dec;39(1):21-31. doi: 10.1142/S2214607519500020. Epub 2020 Feb 14. PMID: 32054426
