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Can Asthma Inhalers Cause Cavities?

5 min read
Generations of Smiles Writers Charles Rodgers, DDS

Written By : Generations of Smiles Writers

Reviewed By : Charles Rodgers, DDS

Published: Dec 01, 2022

Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Blog Summary: If you use an asthma inhaler, you might be protecting your lungs but putting your teeth at risk. This article explains how inhalers can lead to cavities, dry mouth, and enamel erosion—and more importantly, what you can do to prevent them. Learn simple steps to keep your smile healthy while managing your asthma.

Does Using an Inhaler Cause Cavities?

Yes, using an inhaler can increase the risk of cavities. When you use your breathing treatment, or inhaler, by putting it to your lips and breathing in, the medication can quickly squelch an asthma attack. Some people use their inhalers only when they have an infrequent attack, while others need to take a form of asthma medication every day to relax the muscles around the airways in their lungs. But asthma medication can leave a residue on your teeth that can wear down the hard outer layer of your tooth called the enamel. Asthma medicines can contain different ingredients that may have varying degrees of how they effect your oral health. Some asthma medications can even have sugar in them to improve the taste.

Can Asthma Medications Cause Tooth Decay?

In a 2007 study, asthma and tooth decay were the two top reasons for children missing school. The study also showed that the use of the medication salbutamol, also known as albuterol, specifically when used in an inhaler as opposed to in tablet form, increased the tooth decay rate in school children. The effects of albuterol on teeth can not only cause cavities but also lead to periodontal disease. 

What Dental Problems Do Inhalers Cause?

Asthma can come in many different forms and can be triggered by different types of activity or situations. Asthmatic attacks can be caused by:
Depending on the type of asthma you have, your medications will vary. Having a fast-acting inhaler for sudden asthma attacks will have a different medication than an inhaler you use several times a day to relax the muscles in your airways to keep your asthma under control. The differing medications will also have varying effects on your oral health as well. Asthma medications are usually put into two groups, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators. 

Corticosteroids are steroids used for sudden attacks and are usually used for a shorter period of time. 

Bronchodilators, like albuterol, can be used every day to keep your respiratory health consistent, but they can also be used as a fast-acting medication. Both types of asthma medications can lead to tooth decay. 
Medications like Advair are a combination of a corticosteroid and bronchodilator but, unfortunately, can also lead to the development of cavities.

 In addition to tooth decay,  inhalers can also cause negative health effects like gum disease, dry mouth, and even fungal infections. Inhalers are an excellent way to manage asthmatic symptoms and can even be a life-saving medication when used during an asthma attack. But as with every kind of medication, negative side effects can occur. Being aware of what negative oral health complications can happen will help you know what to look for and, ultimately, how to protect your mouth from these negative inhaler side effects. 

Oral Thrush from Inhaler

Oral thrush is a fungal infection that creates white or yellow bumps or patches on the inside of your cheeks or even on your tongue. It can be uncomfortable at times though most cases are mild and easily treated with antifungal medicine. While thrush often occurs when a person has a weakened immune system, oral medications used like corticosteroids that are prescribed to asthma patients can also lower the immune system in your mouth and throat when ingested through an inhaler.

Dry Mouth

Using an inhaler can lead to a condition called dry mouth which leaves the mouth feeling dry because of an interruption in salvia production. The saliva in your mouth is very important to your overall oral health. This wet substance that is produced naturally in your mouth delivers needed minerals to your teeth and gums while also working as a cleaner to rinse away foods, sugars, and harmful bacteria from your teeth. When patients suffer from dry mouth, also called xerostomia, the mouth’s health can begin to decline. Tooth decay and mouth sores can be unfortunate side effects of having a dry mouth.

Mouth Sores

A dry mouth can lead to developing mouth sores or canker sores if left untreated. The steroid medications in some patients’ inhalers can lead to the development of dry mouth, and eventually, painful mouth sores will follow. But, as stated above, inhalers can also cause oral thrush, which can also result in open sores in your mouth. The white, bumpy patches can burst open, causing painful, irritating sores to develop.

Remember to rinse: avoid cavities, gum disease, dry mouth, mouth sores, and fungal infections by rinsing after using your inhaler.

Why Rinse Mouth After Using an Inhaler?

Even though using an inhaler can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, dry mouth, oral thrush, mouth sores, and gum disease, there are some simple remedies to decrease the chances of developing one of these negative side effects. Knowing that asthma inhaler use can take a toll on your oral health, increasing oral hygiene is certainly a good idea. 

Brushing twice a day and flossing daily can keep your mouth in the best condition possible. Because most negative side effects result from the medication coating your mouth and teeth, rinsing your mouth out with water after using your inhaler is an excellent way to prevent oral health decline. Specifically, rinsing your mouth after using a steroid inhaler is important because of the medicated residue it leaves on your teeth, inner cheeks, and tongue. Brushing your teeth after using an inhaler is an even better way to clean off the medication's film left on your teeth. 

Find A Dentist Near You

If you have asthma and are worried about your inhaler medication having a negative impact on your oral health, establishing a relationship with a trusted dentist in your community is essential to keeping a close eye on your teeth and gums. Smile Generation can help you find an experienced dentist in your area today, use our Find a Dentist tool to find a trusted dentist in your area. 

 

Find your trusted, local dentist today!

 
 
 

Asthma Inhalers and Oral Health FAQs

Yes — some inhalers can leave a sticky residue on your teeth or even contain a bit of sugar to make the medicine taste better. Over time, that combination can wear down your enamel and make cavities more likely.

They can. Inhalers may dry out your mouth, and when there’s less saliva to wash away food particles and acids, it’s easier for decay to form.

Yes, albuterol inhalers can sometimes lead to a yeast infection called oral thrush, especially if you don’t rinse your mouth after using them.

Yes — studies show that frequent inhaler use can increase the risk of both tooth decay and gum problems like inflammation and bleeding

 

Sources

  • WebMD. (2022, October 27). Albuterol sulfate - Uses, side effects, and more. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6062-566/albuterol-sulfate-oral/albuterol-salbutamol-liquid-oral/details (Accessed October 9th, 2025)
  • Mayo Clinic. (2022, October 27). Asthma. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653 (Accessed October 9th, 2025)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, April 16). Asthma data visualizations. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/data-visualizations/default.htm (Accessed October 9th, 2025)
  • Asthma.net. (2022, March). Asthma inhalers and dental health. Asthma.net. https://asthma.net/clinical/dental-health (Accessed October 9th, 2025)
  • Mayo Clinic. (2022, August 17). Asthma medications: Know your options. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/asthma-medications/art-20045557
  • Behring, S. (2021, March 1). Can you get oral thrush from an inhaler? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/thrush-from-inhaler#takeaway (Accessed October 9th, 2025)
  • WebMD. (2021, December 17). Bronchodilators (rescue inhalers): Short-acting and long-acting types. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/asthma/asthma_inhalers_bronchodilators (Accessed October 9th, 2025)
  • Shashikiran, N. D., Reddy, V. V. S., & Krishnam Raju, P. (2007, April). Effect of antiasthmatic medication on dental disease: Dental caries and periodontal disease. National Institutes of Health. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17660639/ (Accessed October 9th, 2025)
  • Singla, P., & Weiss, D. (2022, August 21). Side effects of Advair: What you need to know. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/advair-side-effects#fa-qs (Accessed October 9th, 2025)
  • American Dental Association. (2021, February 22). Xerostomia (dry mouth). ADA. https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/xerostomia/ (Accessed October 9th, 2025)

Smile Generation blog articles are reviewed by a licensed dental professional before publishing. However, we present this information for educational purposes only with the intent to promote readers’ understanding of oral health and oral healthcare treatment options and technology. We do not intend for our blog content to substitute for professional dental care and clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment planning provided by a licensed dental professional. Smile Generation always recommends seeking the advice of a dentist, physician, or other licensed healthcare professional for a dental or medical condition or treatment. 

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