Effect of disease severity and pharmacotherapy of asthma on oral health in asthmatic children.

Oral health was studied in a group of asthmatic children (n = 61). The children were divided in two groups, 5-10 and 11-18 yr of age. The individuals with asthma were further subgrouped with respect to the disease severity. Severe asthma was defined as more than 10 asthmatic attacks per year. This patient group had daily medication compared to children with moderate asthma (less than 10 asthmatic attacks/yr) who medicated temporarily. 55 age matched children from the same area made up the control group. All children were examined clinically and two bitewing radiographs were taken. The results showed no statistically significant differences concerning caries prevalence and gingival condition in asthmatic children compared to a healthy control group. The study shows that neither the asthma per se nor the disease severity affected the caries prevalence and gingival condition in asthmatic children.