Asthma is easily triggered during the fall months. Did you know that asthma also 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 additional problems such as increased plaque, cavities, gingivitis, TMJ disorder, and poor smelling breath. Please contact our dental office in Ashburn VA if you’d like to schedule an exam to address any of the oral health conditions related to asthma treatments.

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, please let your dentist in Ashburn know. Doing so will help prevent additional oral problems in the future.

Oral thrush occurs 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 the growth of oral thrush. The use of inhalers can also irritate your mouth and develop lesions, which can be treated by our Ashburn dentist.

If you are an asthma sufferer, we highly 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 oral conditions, routine dental care at home and high quality dental care from the Ashburn dentist can greatly reduce these risks.

Contact us to schedule an appointment today!