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Asthma is a condition that brings with it a wide variety of challenges. From helping to ensure that your child can breathe properly during sports and other activities, to ensuring proper oxygenation during sleep, as a parent you have many things to consider. Another issue you may see, and one that we often treat in our patients, is the issue of increased cavity incidence in children who suffer from asthma.
The Link Between Asthma and Cavities
The issue is that many medicines used to treat asthma may have the effect of weakening the enamel on your child's teeth. The enamel is the hardened outer layer of the tooth that protects the softer dentin and pulp inside. When the enamel is weakened, the tooth is more susceptible to damage from physical trauma as well as tooth decay.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Child's Teeth?
If your child suffers from asthma, obviously you don't want to withhold the medication that helps him or her to breathe properly. So, what can you do? There are a few things we usually suggest to our patients.
First, check to see if your municipality fluoridates its water. Fluoride helps the tooth enamel repair itself and keeps it strong and resistant to bacterial attack. If there is not fluoride in your water, you can obtain bottled water with fluoride added.
Second, be sure that you rinse out your child's mouth after he or she uses a nebulizer or other breathing treatment apparatus. Doing so will reduce the amount of time the asthma medication is in contact with the teeth, leading to stronger teeth.
Also, be sure that you limit the use of overly sugary drinks and sweets. The sugar in these items fuels the growth of the bacteria that are responsible for cavities. This will help keep your child's teeth healthy and strong.
