Can daily asthma inhalers cause tooth decay?
Asthma is a very common medical problem, affecting millions of people. Luckily, the medications to treat it rarely impact the teeth. The inhaler is generally some form of steroid, which by itself has no effect on the strength or quality of the enamel. However, inhalers can sometimes cause a dry mouth, which can increase the likelihood of getting cavities. If your child complains of a dry mouth or you notice an increase in the frequency of cavities cropping up, then discuss options with your dentist.
There are various aids to help fend off cavities caused by dry mouth, including anti-cavity rinses, prescription toothpastes and more (discussed in the general questions section). There are also several over-the-counter items that can be used to help stimulate saliva flow and moisten a dry mouth, such as Biotene brand products (sold in pharmacy area of most grocery stores). Chewing sugar-free gum is also a great way to increase saliva flow and helps with the effects of dry mouth syndrome.
If your child suffers from a dry mouth, have them drink water throughout the day. Do not allow them to sip on soda, diet soda or fruit juice, or you will likely see cavities very quickly. A dry mouth alone can increase the rate of getting cavities significantly, as saliva contains many anti-cavity substances. So, once you add sugars to the mix, it is a recipe for disaster!
The only other significant effect that steroid inhalers can have on the mouth is increasing the risk of getting oral yeast infections. You may have also heard it called “thrush” or “candidiasis.” “Thrush” is a condition caused by the overgrowth of a normal bodily fungus called, “Candida Albicans.” This fungus is normally present, but occasionally (especially while taking antibiotics or steroid-containing medicines) can grow in more abundance than usual. Thrush is very frequently seen in babies during the bottle or nursing stage, but less often with inhaler use It can range in severity but looks like “curdled milk” in the mouth that won’t wipe off. If it caused by an inhaler, it is usually seen on the roof of the mouth and throat.
It doesn’t usually hurt anything but can cause irritation or burning to the oral cavity and look unsightly. However, you don’t want to leave it untreated, as it is possible for the fungus to infect the blood or other areas of the body. This is rare but should be mentioned, as to avoid a potentially life threatening situation.
Both children and adults can get candidiasis, but adults typically get it in others areas of the body and is experienced much more by women. The best way to avoid both “thrush” and dry mouth from inhaler use is to rinse the mouth out with water out after each use. This is true for both children and adults who use steroid inhalers. There are medications to treat oral yeast overgrowth and they are usually very simple and work very well. Again, if you see any white areas in your child’s mouth anywhere, always consult your dentist or pediatrician, as it could be caused by other more serious things.
Tags: Asthma Inhalers, Candida, Candida Albicans, Candidiasis, Cause Tooth Decay, Cavities, Cavity, Diet Soda, Dry Mouth Syndrome, Free Gum, Fruit Juice, Fungus, Inhaler, Medical Problem, Oral Yeast Infections, Pharmacy Area, Questions Section, Saliva Flow, Steroid Inhalers, Thrush