Oral health risks in children with asthma
Inhaled asthmatic therapy could increase the risk of tooth wear in pediatric patients.
In a study published in Scientific Reports, investigators examined tooth wear among 70 patients aged 3 to 7 years and 10 to 17 years who were receiving inhaled corticosteroids alone or in combination with long-acting beta-agonist therapy to treat asthma and 59 controls.
The investigators found that the patients receiving asthma treatment were more likely to experience wear in their permanent dentition and on the buccal and labial surfaces of their teeth compared with controls. They identified risk factors for tooth wear — including receipt of the combination treatment approach, dry powder inhalers, higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids as well as longer treatment durations. Other factors contributing to tooth wear were gastroesophageal reflux disease, which was more common in the asthma treatment group, and sweetened beverage consumption.
The findings highlighted the need to inform pediatric patients using inhaled asthma treatments of the benefits of mouth rinsing and oral hygiene following inhaler use to mitigate the risk of tooth wear.
Read more: Scientific Reports
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