Connection of Asthma & Oral Health

Connection of Asthma & Oral Health. The link between good oral hygiene and the overall health of your body has not always been well-known. Diseases of the mouth or gums can cause health conditions to develop or worsen elsewhere in the body. Through regular professional cleanings and proper home care of your teeth, you can help alleviate some of these concerns.

Although you may have heard of the connection between oral health and whole-body inflammation, many people do not realize there is a connection between asthma and oral health. If you have asthma and have concerns about your dental health condition, you should work closely with your dentist to eliminate some of these concerns. 

Individuals who have asthma often have symptoms that affect the interior of the mouth. Any symptom that affects the mouth can also alter the health of the teeth and gums. One of the oral health problems asthma sufferers frequently experience is dry mouth. Asthma-related dry mouth stems from two different issues. Since asthma restricts airflow at times, patients are more likely to breathe out of the mouth instead of the nose. The condition can also lead to reduced production of saliva or saliva that is of lower quality. Breathing out of the mouth and poor saliva production can cause chronic dry mouth, which has negative oral health implications. 

Asthma can affect the quality and quantity of saliva in the mouth just by the nature of the condition, but another real concern is the treatments that need to be used to treat asthma. A prescription inhaler is a common asthma treatment that can snowball dry mouth due to mouth breathing, meaning an increased risk of dried-out oral tissues. Those with asthma often suffer from allergies as well, and sinus congestion increases the chance of developing dry mouth even more. 

Saliva is important to oral health because it provides protection in the mouth. Sufficient saliva washes away harmful bacteria levels and reduces the amount of residual food debris left in the mouth after eating. Poor saliva production in the mouth can cause a host of oral health concerns since saliva is essential to keeping bacterial overgrowth at bay. When bacteria is allowed to overgrow, patients begin to experience complications such as gingivitis, tooth decay, and oral thrush. The multiplication of oral bacteria will have implications throughout the body since poor dental health leads to systemic complications over time. 

Although chronic dry mouth is the most common dental complication related to asthma, the condition and its associated treatments can also lead to other mouth problems. The use of an inhaler is irritating to the mouth and can lead to lesions on the roof of the mouth and throat. These lesions sometimes become infected and need to be treated with antibiotics. Mouth ulcers are not uncommon with inhaler use and can occur in any area of the mouth, although the roof of the mouth is the most likely location. 

Unbalanced pH in the mouth can also lead to candida overgrowth, a condition called oral thrush. These types of yeast infections lead to the appearance of white patches inside the mouth. Those who have asthma are also more likely to experience gastrointestinal reflux disease. With GERD, the mouth experiences exposure to acid that can erode the teeth enamel and cause disease and decay. Some patients dislike the lingering taste of asthma medication and seek out sweet-tasting beverages or gum to mask the taste. This can lead to cavities and tooth decay. 

Another important connection between asthma and dental hygiene that should not be overlooked is dental anxiety. Since a dentist’s visit can make people anxious, some patients with asthma may be nervous about having an asthma attack due to anxiety and choose to avoid visiting the dentist altogether. This creates a cycle, since avoiding the dentist can lead to worsening dental hygiene and oral health concerns that necessitate even more intervention and expense.

Patients with asthma who also have dental anxiety should work with the dentist to make a plan for addressing these concerns, so the appointment is as stress-free and relaxing as possible. There are many modern options for assisting patients with dental anxiety. 

Patients with asthma can still maintain excellent oral health by making an effort to protect the teeth, gums, and mouth tissues from the effects of asthma and asthma treatments. In addition to staying on top of the dentist’s recommended schedule of brushing and flossing, patients with asthma can take extra measures to help prevent future problems. 

Patients with asthma in Lake Jackson can have beautiful, healthy smiles with the help of an experienced and caring dentist. The team at All Smiles Dentistry knows how important it is to have routine dental exams and thorough cleanings to mitigate any issues that may arise from asthma treatment. Suppose you have been avoiding the dentist due to the possibility of experiencing an asthma attack due to dental anxiety. In that case, the team is ready to help alleviate your fears with a solid, and customized treatment plan. If you have any questions about the practice or general oral health concerns, contact All Smiles Dentistry to answer your questions or set up an appointment. Click here to learn more about our dental services. 

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