COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Respiratory
Asthma
Oral Effects
Many drugs used to treat asthma have effects on the mouth and throat:
Rescue inhalers (adrenergic agonists) can cause dry mouth
Strong anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids) can cause dry mouth, make you more susceptible to oral fungal infections (candidiasis or thrush) and slow healing. When you use an inhaler that contains steroids, use a spacer, a plastic tube that attaches to your inhaler and holds the dose while you inhale at your own pace. Rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Cromolyn can cause nausea, cough, a bad taste in your mouth and a dry or irritated sensation in your mouth or throat.
At the Dentist
Bring your inhaler to your appointments. Tell your dentist about your latest asthma attack, the factors that trigger your attacks and the severity of your condition, including related hospitalizations.
If you have been taking systemic steroids for more than two weeks, you may need steroid treatment before dental care. When you take steroids, your adrenal glands which normally produce hormones that respond to stress don't work as well. This means that your body is less able to respond to stress, which can cause serious problems, including cardiovascular collapse. Let your dentist know if you have been taking long-term steroids so he or she can consider possible steroid replacement therapy.
Some asthma drugs, such as theophylline and zafirlukast, interact with medications that your dentist may prescribe. Make sure your dentist knows exactly which drugs you are taking and in what dosages.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bronchitis and Emphysema
Oral Effects
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) does not have any oral effects, although people with this condition may have frequent upper respiratory infections. And long-term use of steroids, sometimes prescribed for people with bronchitis or emphysema, may cause oral Candida infections (thrush).
At the Dentist
If you have been on systemic steroids for more than two weeks, you may need special steroid treatment before dental care. When you take steroids, your adrenal glands which normally produce hormones that respond to stress don't work as well. This means that your body is less able to respond to stress, which can cause serious problems. Let your dentist know if you have been taking long-term steroids so he or she can consider possible steroid replacement therapy. Make sure your dentist knows which medications you are taking, and their doses, to avoid drug interactions or side effects.
Oxygen should be available during any dental appointment. The way you are seated in the dental chair may affect your breathing, so work with your dentist to find a comfortable position.
Tuberculosis
Oral Effects
People with tuberculosis may have enlarged lymph nodes. Rarely, you may have a painful ulcer or sore in your mouth.
At the Dentist
If you have active tuberculosis, you pose a risk of infecting your dentist, dental hygienist and people in the waiting room. People with active tuberculosis must receive emergency dental care only in a hospital and should not receive elective dental care.
If your tuberculosis is inactive, you can have elective dental treatment with no special considerations. A test called a saliva culture is the best way to tell whether you have inactive tuberculosis.
Sinusitis
Oral Effects
Sinusitis can cause pain in the upper teeth, which can be mistaken for a dental problem. More than one tooth on the same side of the mouth will ache if you have sinusitis.
inusitis can cause pain in the upper teeth, which can be mistaken for a dental problem. More than one tooth on the same side of the mouth will ache if you have sinusitis.
Medications used to treat sinusitis can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), which can increase your risk of tooth decay. Breathing mainly through your mouth also can cause dry mouth.
At the Dentist
No special considerations are needed for people with sinusitis, although you should let your dentist know which medications you are taking. If you have had chronic sinusitis for a long time and have received prolonged courses of antibiotics, you should tell your dentist because it's possible for bacteria to become resistant to certain antibiotics. Your dentist may change the dose or type of antibiotic prescribed for certain infections.
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthBasics/MedCondOralHealth/PhysDisorderOralEffects/Respiratory.cvsp Hope this helps, have a great day, Holly
Asthma
Oral Effects
Many drugs used to treat asthma have effects on the mouth and throat:
Rescue inhalers (adrenergic agonists) can cause dry mouth
Strong anti-inflammatory medications (corticosteroids) can cause dry mouth, make you more susceptible to oral fungal infections (candidiasis or thrush) and slow healing. When you use an inhaler that contains steroids, use a spacer, a plastic tube that attaches to your inhaler and holds the dose while you inhale at your own pace. Rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Cromolyn can cause nausea, cough, a bad taste in your mouth and a dry or irritated sensation in your mouth or throat.
At the Dentist
Bring your inhaler to your appointments. Tell your dentist about your latest asthma attack, the factors that trigger your attacks and the severity of your condition, including related hospitalizations.
If you have been taking systemic steroids for more than two weeks, you may need steroid treatment before dental care. When you take steroids, your adrenal glands which normally produce hormones that respond to stress don't work as well. This means that your body is less able to respond to stress, which can cause serious problems, including cardiovascular collapse. Let your dentist know if you have been taking long-term steroids so he or she can consider possible steroid replacement therapy.
Some asthma drugs, such as theophylline and zafirlukast, interact with medications that your dentist may prescribe. Make sure your dentist knows exactly which drugs you are taking and in what dosages.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bronchitis and Emphysema
Oral Effects
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) does not have any oral effects, although people with this condition may have frequent upper respiratory infections. And long-term use of steroids, sometimes prescribed for people with bronchitis or emphysema, may cause oral Candida infections (thrush).
At the Dentist
If you have been on systemic steroids for more than two weeks, you may need special steroid treatment before dental care. When you take steroids, your adrenal glands which normally produce hormones that respond to stress don't work as well. This means that your body is less able to respond to stress, which can cause serious problems. Let your dentist know if you have been taking long-term steroids so he or she can consider possible steroid replacement therapy. Make sure your dentist knows which medications you are taking, and their doses, to avoid drug interactions or side effects.
Oxygen should be available during any dental appointment. The way you are seated in the dental chair may affect your breathing, so work with your dentist to find a comfortable position.
Tuberculosis
Oral Effects
People with tuberculosis may have enlarged lymph nodes. Rarely, you may have a painful ulcer or sore in your mouth.
At the Dentist
If you have active tuberculosis, you pose a risk of infecting your dentist, dental hygienist and people in the waiting room. People with active tuberculosis must receive emergency dental care only in a hospital and should not receive elective dental care.
If your tuberculosis is inactive, you can have elective dental treatment with no special considerations. A test called a saliva culture is the best way to tell whether you have inactive tuberculosis.
Sinusitis
Oral Effects
Sinusitis can cause pain in the upper teeth, which can be mistaken for a dental problem. More than one tooth on the same side of the mouth will ache if you have sinusitis.
inusitis can cause pain in the upper teeth, which can be mistaken for a dental problem. More than one tooth on the same side of the mouth will ache if you have sinusitis.
Medications used to treat sinusitis can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), which can increase your risk of tooth decay. Breathing mainly through your mouth also can cause dry mouth.
At the Dentist
No special considerations are needed for people with sinusitis, although you should let your dentist know which medications you are taking. If you have had chronic sinusitis for a long time and have received prolonged courses of antibiotics, you should tell your dentist because it's possible for bacteria to become resistant to certain antibiotics. Your dentist may change the dose or type of antibiotic prescribed for certain infections.
http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthBasics/MedCondOralHealth/PhysDisorderOralEffects/Respiratory.cvsp Hope this helps, have a great day, Holly
I think it was Ms. Beanie who suggested drinking a weak lemon water solution. For me, it was a big help in relieving a dry mouth.
If you ever get oral thrush, you soon learn the benefits of always rinsing after using an inhaler!
Thanks for the heads-up about the dentist. Probably isn't something we often think about.
so I had three teeth removed last year on top....I probably need a bridge but I heard there no good. So I didn't get one.
But I find eating or chewing on that side is almost too hard.
On my other side I am missing broken teeth. I am waiting for the day I can afford those perment teeth....but at $1600 ea the denist wanted I guess I might be waiting til the cows come home.
Biotene makes a line of products that work very well on dry mouth and preventing thrush. I use their toothpaste and mouthwash every day, and they also make a "mouth moisturizer" that you can spray into your mouth. You should be able to find Biotene just about anywhere, in the dental care section. I get mine at Target.
And if all else fails, and you end up with the awful sore tongue and mouth of oral thrush, call your doctor or dentist for a Rx of Nystatin liquid. It's an antifungal medication that you swish around in your mouth for a few minutes and then swallow, 3-4 times a day. It may take 10 days to really heal your mouth.
Hugs, Sue
so right now that is what our state is willing to pay for is advair not the other one.
But after reading so much here over the last several months I became scared of Advair and using it.
So I refuse to use it until I feel safe. I don't feel safe until someone talks about it in a good way.
So besides I don't need it according to doctor #3// just doctor #2 says I do//
What is strange is the fact how our teeth are so effected by what med's we take. I didn't know that so glad you wrote something about it.
thanks
I feel as tho I am not getting the full spray but it could just be that the powder is different in the two and that causes the sensation that you are not getting the full dose of Symbicort.
Anyone know for sure? Or is there a particular spacer that works better with one than the other?
Thanks for any info.
Anna