Could Your Asthma Be Affecting Your Oral Health This Fall?

Asthma is easily trigged in fall months. Did you know that asthma contributes to your oral health? Asthma treatments such as corticosteroids inhalers can cause conditions such as dry mouth and oral thrush. These conditions may cause problems such as increased plaque, cavities, gingivitis, TMJ disorder, and poor smelling breath. Please contact our dental office in Streeterville if you’d like to schedule an exam to address any of the oral health conditions related to asthma treatment.

Asthma suffers are often forced to breathe through their mouths, which causes dry mouth. Furthermore, dry mouth is also a side effect from asthma inhalers. When dry mouth is present, less saliva is produced. Saliva is extremely important for keeping your mouth clean. Dry mouth increases your risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. If you notice a drier than usual mouth, let your dentist in Streeterville Chicago know. Doing so may help prevent additional problems in the future.

Oral thrush can occur when the inhaler causes an increased growth of yeast (thrush) in the mouth and throat. Thrush produces white patches on the tongue and throughout your mouth. Rinsing your mouth with water or fluoride mouthwash after using your inhaler will help reduce thrush growth. The use of inhalers can also irritate your mouth and cause lesions, which can be treated at our Streeterville dental office.

If you are an asthma sufferer, we recommend paying close attention to your oral hygiene habits, as you may be more prone to inflammation and disease. Although asthma sufferers may be more vulnerable to dental conditions, routine dental care at home and professional care with the Streeterville Chicago IL dentist can greatly reduce these risks.

Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

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