Asthma and dental erosion

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airway, characterised by the presence of airflow obstruction which is variable over short periods of time, or is reversible with treatment. Medication comprises of bronchodilators, corticosteroids and anticholinergic drugs. Most asthma drugs are inhaled using various forms of inhalers or nebulizers. Inhaled drugs must be used regularly. The effects of these drugs on the dentition such as tooth decay and erosion have been a subject of debate among dental practitioners. Asthmatic medications can place the patient at risk of dental erosion by reducing salivary protection against extrinsic or intrinsic acids. Asthmatic individuals are one of the higher risk groups suffering from dental erosion. Therefore patients with bronchial asthma should receive special prophylactic attention. This article presents a case of an asthmatic with dental manifestations and reviews the possible causes and management of the same. Key words: Asthma, dry powder inhalers, beta-2 agonist, gastro-esophageal reflux, dental erosion. doi: 10.3126/kumj.v6i3.1714 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2008), Vol. 6, No. 3, Issue 23, 370-374