Does anyone know anything about asthma medication and teeth?

[OwlMother]

Out of my 3 dc ds1 has by far the worst teeth, and has done from a very early age. This is despite the fact that as my pfb he probably had the best/healthiest diet and most attention paid to tooth brushing! He is also the only one of my dc to be asthmatic, having been diagnosed and treated from an early age - he is now 11.

Saw a new (paediatric) dentist today and she said something in passing about inhalers causing tooth problems. Would have asked her to elaborate but at this point the younger 2 dc started to carry on and I thought it better to leave!

Does anyone know anything about a connection? Ds1 is on a fair bit of medication daily.

Nope, never heard that, but interested to know from anyone who does...

When DD started on her steroid inhaler, the pharmacist said we ought to give her it before brushing her teeth, though he didn't say why.

It occurs to me that reading the instruction leaflet with the inhaler might be an idea - have you tried that?!

Of course, some people just have dodgy teeth, my enamel stains really easily and keeps falling off. Unsightly and expensive....

I asked the dentist about brushing teeth and taking the inhaler as I could have sworn you were meant to brush your teeth after having it but he said it didn't make any difference.

I've not heard of potential tooth problems with inhalers (although that could be an issue, just not heard of any) but I was told to use a spacer for my brown preventer inhaler because sometimes apparantly it can lead to oral thrush.

That's the only mouth type issue I've heard of re inhalers. Have not had problems personally though.

Yes, inhalers are bad for teeth.
My dentist (specialist paediatric dentist) told me and dd at her first appointment.

She told her to brush half an hour after using her inhalers

Steroid inhalers have an affect on the calcium levels in the body. People on long term heavy doses of steroid, inhaled or oral, are at increased risk of osteoporosis and I'm guessing that's why some people's teeth are affected too.

My DS's teeth were affected. He had aplastic enamel (the enamel didn't form properly on his teeth) he has had them coated and since that's been done he's had fewer problems. He was also on quite high levels of inhaler and on frequent courses of oral steroids. DD is also an asthmatic, equally as poorly as her brother and is still bad (whereas DS no longer uses inhalers) yet her teeth are much stronger than his so I think luck comes in to it too.

Am waiting for repeat prescription to be filled, so have no inhaler instructions anywhere. I'm sure I scanned them at some point but cannot be sure . Have just gone and read his nasal spray and tablet leaflets, nothing there, but the steroid inhalers are the thing he's been on longest. Must try googling for instruction leaflet.....

You should however gargle and rinse your mouth post inhaler as it can cause throat problems (but I'm not sure which inhalers)

What's he taking?

It's a good idea to use a spacer especially for an inhaled steroid (beige, brown, orange, purple) and rinse after taking your inhalers.

Taking them straight into the mouth can lead to oral thrush as well as a sore throat and hoarse voice. I'm not aware of any problems with the teeth themselves, but long term inhaled steroid use in adults can cause loss of bone mineral density of the jawbone.

Isn't this typical of the non- joined up nature of health care?! Every dental visit we have put on his medical form that he is asthmatic and this is the first time this has ever been suggested. Similar to you pagwatch it seems to be the fact that this time as the dentist was a specialist paediatric dentist that made the difference.

No asthma nurse, doctor, dentist or paediatrician has ever mentioned it, neither has the pharmacist. Ds1's teeth are fairly grim, i know that as hellhasnofurysays luck does come into it, but so does lack of information.

Am feeling hideously guilty tonight.

He takes simbacort, with singulair. Also has to take fluticasone nasal spray and loratadine. Hasn't used a spacer for the last couple of years, on advice from the asthma nurse. He uses the turbohaler (think I've got that right - am off to check)

we were also told it was bad for teeth by a pharmacist one time

are they his milk teeth?

Sorry don't mean to hi-jack your thread Owl but does anyone else notice problems re inhaler use and needing to clear your throat a lot/losing your voice.

I have awful problems with this and am always having to (loudly) clear my throat cos my voice has vanished.

Nope, adult teeth also affected although it was initially his baby teeth which were the problem.

Can that depend on which inhaler you use. Ds was like that with beconase (dodgy spelling, brown inhaler?) Better with this one.

DrinkYourWeakLemonDrinkNow rinse & gargle straight away - it should help

i wouldn't have known if it wasn't for the pharmacist
don't feel guilty

Ah thanks for that! Will give it a go. It only recently occurred to me after years of asthma that it could be inhalers causing it.

If his technique with Symbicort is good then the deposition in the mouth should be minimal. Probably worth getting him to do a good rinse and spit after each use though.

DYWLDN yes inhalers can definitely have that effect. Use a spacer, or rinse and spit after use.

Thanks for all the help - will definitely encourage rinsing and spitting now. Relieved to have found a dentist who seems a bit more on the ball.