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19 years
Why should I brush my teeth after using the inhaler for my asthma?
Dec 2, 2014

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
Some asthma inhalers contain steroids; these are known as inhaled corticosteroids, and they treat the inflammatory component of asthma (whereby the airways are inflamed and swollen which causes the wheezing). These steroids act only locally with minimal absorption into the rest of the body and are quite effective in maintenance and in aborting an acute asthma attack. The drawback is that local steroids may compromise the local immune responses and predispose to infections in the mouth, in particular fungal (candida) infection which produces oral thrush (white plaque that grow on the gums and inner cheeks, or cause a white tongue). This is why patients who are on chronic inhaled corticosteroid use are advised to cleanse their mouths after use of this medication.
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