title: [Oral health in asthmatic children: a dose-response study].
abstract: In literature there is a lack of consensus regarding the relationship between dental caries risk and asthma in a child population. Despite these divergent views, all studies conclude that asthmatic children are at risk and that special preventive programs are needed. The asthmatic through either its disease status or its pharmacotherapy carries several factors for an increased caries risk. PH values of most inhalant powders are less than 5.5. A decrease of the salivary and plaque pH has been detected in asthmatic children after use of these inhalers. This low pH value associated with a reduced salivary flow rate (caused by beta-adrenergic agonists and by anti-histaminic medication) makes asthmatics more susceptible to caries and erosion. There are only a few studies that take into account that asthma is a disease with a large diversity of severity and duration. This approach could help to clarify some variability in caries risk. The aim of the present study (a dose-response study) was to examine the oral health status of asthmatic children and to compare the oral health condition and oral health habits within different groups of asthmatic children.
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine Dentaire, Service de Médecine Dentaire Pédiatrique et de Médecine Dentaire Spéciale, Université de Gand, Cliniques Universitaires P8, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gand.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eloot
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanobbergen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martens
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000737:chemistry; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D016015:Logistic Models; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists