Gum disease and asthma have a very strange relationship. Recent studies have shown that people who do not have optimal oral health are five times more likely to develop asthma than those who work hard to keep up with their oral health.

However, those with asthma are also far more likely to develop gum disease than most. This relationship is causing researchers to try and see if there are deeper connections between the two.

How Asthma Can Affect Gum Disease

Between the aerosol medications you must inhale during an asthma attack that coat your teeth, and the fact that you get more oxygen when you open-mouth breathe, people with asthma are far more likely to struggle with oral health issues than those without. The medications are not good for your teeth. However, you need them to breathe, so you must take them.

You also need to get oxygen as quickly as possible. This means that more often than not, when your breathing is restricted, you are going to open your mouth and gulp in air. This dries out your mouth, and leaves you more susceptible to both tooth decay and gum disease.

If you have asthma, you need to make sure your dentist knows, and that you go in more often than every six months. Also, if you have gum disease that you are having your dentist treat, and you have moments where you struggle to breathe, you need to let your doctor know. Both specialists may need to work together to give you the best chances of surviving your asthma while keeping your gum disease in check.

It isn't a fun combination, but knowing that the two ailments are related can help both be better treated. Contact our office today and find out if you are at risk for gum disease!