Effects of Asthma On Oral Health
By Stefania Willis, RDH, MA, DMH and Sarina Gefers
An inflammatory disease of the lower respiratory tract, asthma causes the narrowing and inflammation of the airways and hyperresponsiveness of the bronchial airways to different stimuli. This exaggerated reaction results in recurrent symptoms that include wheezing, coughing, dyspnea, increased blood pressure and respiratory rate, excess mucous production, and tightening of the chest.