Respiratory

• 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.

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.

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.

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.