Got Asthma? Look Out for Cavities, Too!

About 7.1 million children in the United States have asthma, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics. That’s about one out of every 10 kids on the playground!

Most people know asthmatic lungs increase a child’s risk for respiratory distress when exposed to allergens like mold and second-hand smoke as well as to viruses, stress and physical exertion. But did you know that having asthma is linked to dental cavities and gum inflammation, too?

In a recent study, Swedish researchers took a look at the dental health of children, teens and young adults with and without asthma. They divided the test subjects into age groups: 3, 6, 12-16 and 18-24 years of age. Examinations showed that the 3-year-olds with asthma had more dental caries than children with healthy respiratory systems. Three years later, this correlation still existed when the subjects were tested at age 6 in a follow-up exam by scientists in the Department of Cariology at Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg, Sweden. Strange name but very smart people.

The teenagers in the research project with “long-time moderate or severe asthma” showed more gingivitis (gum inflammation) and decay than the non-asthma control group, too. In fact, only one asthma kid out of 20 was cavity-free (5 percent). However, 65 percent of the teens without asthma were free of decay.

Researchers suspected low levels of saliva may have contributed to this higher cavity rate. I’d have to agree. When a child has trouble getting enough air, he’s not going to breath through his nose. He will tend to be a mouth-breather, which dries things out.

Kids with asthma are usually on medication too. These medicines can reduce saliva secretion. Saliva keeps the mouth wet, helping to digest food and minimize bacteria and infection which contribute to tooth decay. If a kid reaches for juice, soda or other sugar-laced drink to counter dryness instead of water, the mouth becomes even more likely to host decay.

I’d love to see more research done regarding asthma and dental health, because early childhood intervention is crucial. A child with asthma certainly doesn’t need dental disease heaped onto his problems. I think more research will lead to educated parents who understand the importance of preventive dental care in childhood and are more likely to get on board.

I strongly encourage parents of asthmatic children to schedule routine dental checkups for them. We welcome youngsters at our Encino dental office and would be privileged to partner with parents as they manage their children’s health and instill good oral hygiene practices.

Tip of the Day: To help your child combat dry mouth, have him drink water between meals and avoid sugary beverages. If your child is old enough, offer sugarless gum or candy to stimulate saliva flow. Avoid feeding sticky foods to your children and insist they brush their teeth after eating. As one parent to another I wish you luck on that one. Sealants and a fluoride rinse or gel also may be appropriate.

Best regards, AM