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Asthma Medication And Your Teeth

10 August 2016

In the United Kingdom alone, about 5.4 million people are currently being treated for asthma, according to figures released by Asthma UK. More than one million of those being treated are children, including those as young as six months old. It’s a disease that has continuously been on the rise and one that causes more problems than just breathing difficulties.

Many asthma sufferers probably don’t see a connection between their asthma and their dental health, but – say studies – both excess cavities and an extreme amount of erosion are showing up in individuals who are being treated for asthma, especially those whose treatment has been lengthy or who started their treatment early.

Dry mouth tends to be at least one of the culprits related to inhaled asthma medications, in particular.

“The nature of inhaled drugs means a natural side effect is to dry the mouth out,” said Dr. Kenneth Burrell, senior director on the Council of Scientific Affairs for the American Dental Association. “Lots of inhalants are very acidic, with low pH way below what will dissolve enamel.”

Dentists explain that it’s not what goes into the lungs that causes the problem but, rather, the powdery residue that stays behind and sticks to the teeth. And because most asthmatics take their medication more than once a day, the process is repeated over and over again, often for decades. This reduces saliva, which leads to tooth decay.

In a 2002 British study, 60 children age 11 to 18 were tested and it was determined that about two-thirds of those with asthma suffered from moderate erosion, as compared with one-half of non-asthmatic children. Further research could not determine any dietary or other differences that would account for the higher erosion rate among children who took inhaled asthma medications.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO REDUCE EROSION AND DECAY?

If you find that you or your child is suffering from severe dental problems, it’s not unreasonable to ask if there is an alternative to the medication being used. A less acidic inhaler formula, for example, might be suggested.

Usually, however, it’s difficult to make a medicine change, so coming up with other solutions is often the better alternative. One easy solution is to choose a toothpaste or mouthwash solution with extra fluoride. For children who drink bottled water, select one that contains flouride. (It’s important to note that fluoridated water has greatly reduced the number of cavities in children over the last several decades, so it can successfully help with this situation as well.) A prescription topical fluoride paste is sometimes recommended for children with particularly notable erosion and decay issues.

For any asthmatic trying to stay hydrated and trying to reduce dry mouth, sugary drinks are never a good option. Again, use water or even ice chips to keep your mouth moist. It might also be a wise idea to rinse your mouth with water after each puff or to chew sugarless gum after each dose as well.

Finally, adults might consider dry mouth medicines such as Biotene®, but note that most of these over-the-counter solutions may not be suitable for children. Ask your dentist if there’s an option for your little one with asthma.

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I recently visited Briars Dental Practice in Newbury and had a truly excellent experience. From the moment I walked in, the receptionist greeted me warmly and made me feel welcome. The hygienist who saw me prior to my appointment with the dentist was very thorough and gave me some great advice on how to keep my teeth healthy.I was then seen by Richard, one of the dentists at the practice, and I have to say that he and his nurse were fantastic. They put me at ease throughout the whole procedure, were extremely professional and caring, and made sure that I was comfortable at all times. I was also impressed by their attention to detail and their willingness to take the time to answer all of my questions.In fact, I was so pleased with my experience that I would also like to mention another dentist named Richard who saw me previously. He too was excellent, very thorough and professional, and I felt very well taken care of during my appointments with him.Overall, I can't recommend Briars Dental Practice highly enough. The staff are all so friendly, professional, and knowledgeable, and they really go above and beyond to make sure that their patients are well looked after. If you're looking for a great dental practice in Newbury, look no further than Briars.
Beatrice Andreea
Beatrice Andreea
12:07 11 May 23
Thank you for a wonderful experience, I am a coward when it comes to the dentist, Mr Nick French, put me at ease, and has the patience of a Saint. I would also say the dental nurse was I lovely lady who let me crush her hand while I was having my injections. I give Briars Dental Centre 10 out of 10, and would not hesitate to recommend them.
Jan Hamments
Jan Hamments
19:11 29 Jun 23
I had a hygienist appointment with Jo and her nurse, Suzanne. It was the first time I’d tried GBT and found the experience much more comfortable than usual. Jo and Suzanne really put me at ease and made sure I was happy throughout the treatment. It was good being able to clearly see the areas which I needed to improve on brushing and Jo gave me great tips. Would highly recommend
Lauren Jade
Lauren Jade
16:52 19 Jun 23
After such a positive experience today with Richard I thought it only fair to delete my previous review. I am a very nervous patient and not ashamed to say I cried before my appointment. Richard and his lovely dental nurse were so understanding and treated me with kindness and empathy. Richard explained everything to me and allowed me to go at my pace. All options for my next appointment were explained to me and I now have trust in Richard that I feel I will not need full sedation. I was in alot of pain prior to my appointment today along with an enormous amount of anxiety. Richard even explained to me how to breathe when having treatment- no other dentist has ever explained that to me before!Thank you again Richard and to your lovely dental nurse.
Mary Lovelock
Mary Lovelock
15:03 24 Apr 23
I had my consultancy appointment with Chelsea today who looked after me very well. She was very friendly and easy to talk to and explained everything to me very nicely. And also answered all of my questions and made me feel at ease today and for future appointments. It was nice to meet you, and thank you.Glenn.
Glenn Cooper
Glenn Cooper
22:20 23 May 23
I recently had to visit Richard Lineker as I'd broken a tooth.He and his lovely nurse Agata made me feel comfortable and explained what treatment I needed.They work extremely well as a team andmy treatment was painless.
Pauline Preston
Pauline Preston
13:59 12 Jul 23
Wanted to share my mother's thoughts of recent experience visiting Jo Craig hygienist."Jo was attentive , caring gentle and thorough today.I came out feeling fresh and motivated.Well looked after also by her lovely nurse Jenny."Angela Shaw.
Suzanne Hendry
Suzanne Hendry
11:03 21 Jul 23
I am very pleased with the treatment I received. After another dentist had told me the tooth had to be extracted, Mr Fady Khoury managed to save the tooth. The procedure was carried out in a very efficient and professional manner and I am very happy with the outcome.
Terence Marshall
Terence Marshall
16:03 24 Jul 23
Had an appointment with Chelsea today and it went very very well. Had my scans and photos done for Invisalign, which can be a bit awkward but she made it a comfortable experience. She was very friendly, welcoming, put me at ease and asked if I had any overall questions at that stage of the process. She was knowledgeable and explained everything I asked about. It's my first time at this clinic so I'm looking forward for my second appointment to discuss treatment. Great first impression from the moment I stepped through the door! Thanks!
Diana
Diana
11:01 31 Jul 23
A very happy customer! I had quite a lot of crooked and misaligned teeth so Victoria introduced me to Invisalign. She carefully created a program to give me the smile I wanted. In the end it took longer than we had expected but Victoria very diligently took me through every step of the process and she didn’t compromise on any part of the process to ensure I got the smile and teeth alignment we both wanted. A huge thank you to her and her assistant Jen who made every effort to make me feel comfortable throughout. Highly recommended.San
San James
San James
17:16 02 Aug 23
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