Children who consume sugary liquids like fruit juice, are at a higher risk of suffering from Early Childhood Caries, or ECC, but did you realize that asthma medications also put your child at risk for ECC?
We’re absolutely not recommending that you stop your child’s life saving medications, they’re necessary and imperative for a healthy child who is asthmatic, but there are things you can do as a parent to decrease that rise now that you’re aware of it.
EFFECTS OF ANTI-ASTHMATIC DRUGS ON CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH
While bronchial asthma continues to be a widespread problem, unfortunately this chronic lung disease and the treatment of it can have a negative effect on your child’s oral health. Many asthma medications cause a decrease in the salivary secretions in the mouth, which can also change the composition of the saliva and the pH balance of it.
A decreased amount of saliva can lead to ECC because your child’s mouth is not properly rinsing away the naturally occurring bacteria that form in the mouth throughout the day. Stopping any medications just to prevent cavities is not a good idea, so instead, if your child suffers from asthma, we can work together to prevent any oral health issues.
Regularly scheduled cleanings are imperative to your child’s oral health. In addition to checking for ECC and helping prevent complications from medications, we can focus on preventative measures.
Dental sealants can help keep bacterium out of the crevices of the molars. Additionally, excellent home care can help reduce your child’s risk. Brushing teeth twice daily, flossing and using a mouth rinse can help increase the saliva flow in your child’s mouth. If you’re eating a meal away from home, be sure to have your child rinse their mouth with water after eating.
Asthma can be difficult to live with and we would like to work together with you to make sure that it’s not further complicated by ECC. Give our office a call today and schedule your child’s next checkup.
