Arlington Heights Dentist | Asthma and Oral Health

Autumn trees

Did you know that asthma is triggered easily during the fall season? Asthma contributes to your oral health. Treatments for asthma such as corticosteroid inhalers can cause you to develop a dry mouth and/or oral thrush. Dry mouth and oral thrush are linked to cavities, increased plaque, gingivitis, TMJ disorder, and poor smelling breath. Contact our dental office in Arlington Heights, if you’d like to schedule an exam to address concerns about 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 of asthma inhalers. Saliva keeps your mouth clean. When dry mouth is present, your body produces less saliva. Dry mouth increases your risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. If you notice a drier than usual mouth, inform the dentist in Arlington Heights, IL. Doing so will prevent additional dental problems.

Oral thrush can occur when your inhaler causes increased growth of yeast (thrush) in the mouth and throat. Thrush produces white patches on the tongue and throughout your mouth. Thrush produces white patches on the tongue and throughout your mouth. Rinsing your mouth with water or fluoride mouthwash after using an inhaler can reduce the growth of oral thrush. Inhalers can also irritate your mouth and cause lesions, which can be treated by the Arlington Heights dentist.

If you suffer from asthma, we recommend that you watch your oral hygiene habits closely, as you can be more prone to inflammation and disease. Although asthma sufferers are more vulnerable to oral conditions, regular dental care at home and high-quality care from the Arlington Heights IL dentist can greatly reduce these risks.