Many people experience itchy, watery eyes or sneezing when exposed to certain allergens. But if you have asthma, you may be extra sensitive to pollen, pollution, and other triggers that can trigger your condition.
You might think your wheezing as a mere inconvenience, but the truth is, patients who suffer from asthma might also struggle with different dental health concerns. Continue reading to learn more about how your struggle to breathe might affect your smile and what you can do about it!
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes inflammation of your airways, narrowing them and restricting your breathing. It can be triggered by exercise, strong emotions, or different environmental factors, like exposure to allergens or smoke pollution, as well as other infections, like the common cold.
Whatever the reason for your shortened breath, it can potentially significantly affect both your general health and your oral well-being.
How Does Asthma Impact My Dental Health?
Asthma attacks can affect your dental condition in several ways. For example, gasping for oxygen often leads to open-mouth breathing, which can dry you out. Unfortunately, unhealthy bacteria in your mouth thrive in drier spaces, increasing the likelihood of developing cavities or gum disease.
Not only can your asthma cause dry mouth, but certain prescription medications used to address it can also result in unwanted side effects, like oral thrush. This is a common fungal infection that can cause white or red patches to form on the tender tissues of your mouth while simultaneously weakening your immune system, which can lead to further infections. This is why many patients are advised to rinse their mouths and clean their inhaler mouthpiece after each use.
How Can I Improve Symptoms of Asthma?
If you have developed oral issues, like red or white sores or spots developing on your tongue, the insides of your cheeks, or the roof of your mouth, or dark, swollen, or bleeding connective tissues, then your asthma might already have caused a problem. Sometimes, improving your at-home dental hygiene routine can address early concerns.
If that doesn’t help, the best next step is to contact your dentist to assess and treat any areas of concern. For instance, they can deep-clean your gums to halt the progress of periodontal disease. You can also help reduce the frequency of asthma attacks and avoid dental concerns by steering clear of triggers that you know tend to tighten your chest. For instance, steering clear of cigarette smoke can help prevent additional episodes.
Finally, you might also consult your primary care physician regarding your asthma medications to determine whether there are any suitable alternatives that may be less likely to result in dry mouth or oral thrush.
Having an honest conversation with your general and dental healthcare providers can help you avoid common oral concerns caused by asthma!
About the Practice
At Goodlettsville Smiles, you and your family benefit from two providers eager to help improve your smiles. Dr. McClain and Dr. Patel collaborate to provide a complete menu of services, including routine preventive exams and cleanings, to people of all ages at one convenient location. Their caring approach is combined with advanced technology to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (615) 819- 1644.