Teeth and nebulising salbutamol

[Mousepie]

Does anyone find that nebulising salbutamol (albuterol in USA) affects the colour of their teeth? I am 75, have been nebulising salbutamol and saline for over a year now, and see a change in the colour of my teeth from pretty ok to distinctly yellowish. My dentist, whom I see every six months, says that the rate of decay is accelerating. I have had ME for 20 years, bronchiectasis for nearly two. I eat very healthily. Is this just old age?

[Patk1]

I look at mine & think same re colour.hadnt thought about nebuliser to be cause- I've used salbutamol+ hypertonic saline for many years.im not troubled with decay

[janedivney]

I believe I’ve read that nebulised salbutamol is slightly acidic so can damage enamel and cause tooth decay. I might be wrong though 😬

[Shogi]

Sadly, nebulised medications like Albuterol/ Salbutamol and Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent), are going to have some effect on your teeth, unless you’ve been blessed with fantastic tooth enamel!

This is because the Salbutamol nebulising solution contains Sulphuric Acid as a buffer to adjust the pH, and the Atrovent uses Hydrochloric Acid for the same purpose, a fact I had not appreciated until I was doing some research, and my teeth are in a terrible state these days, especially after around 8 years of regular or occasional nebulising.

I don’t nebulise Salbutamol any more, unless it’s a hospital emergency, as it has bad effects long term . I mainly use inhalers, but have the Atrovent (Ipratropium Bromide) for when I feel I need to loosen any mucous (rare for me) as well as help with breathing.

Consultants don’t give out prescriptions for home nebulising unless they think the patient really needs it. I rinse out my mouth as well as I can with water or a mouthwash (alcohol free if using frequently) after nebulising or inhalers.

Brushing your teeth immediately after, is probably going to let the acid affect the tooth enamel more, but I’ve not researched that one. Advice these days, is NOT to brush your teeth immediately AFTER eating or drinking, as that drives “sugars” into the tooth enamel, causing it to wear down, stain and decay. I only discovered this 11 years ago, after growing up with having been told to “Brush your teeth twice a day after meals.” I’m 64 and in the UK. So much advice changes over the years!!!

Anyway, this information below, gives the best and easiest understood details I can find. The US and UK ingredients are the same. Sorry it’s not better news and mention to your dentist. Wish I’d a Magic Wand to help us all ❤️🧚🏻‍♀️😁

”AI Overview

Learn more -

Albuterol nebulizer solutions in the USA typically contain the active ingredient albuterol sulfate, along with inactive ingredients like sodium chloride and sulfuric acid to adjust isotonicity and pH, respectively.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Active Ingredient: Albuterol sulfate (also known as salbutamol sulfate).

Inactive Ingredients:

Sodium chloride: Used to adjust the solution's isotonicity (to match the natural salt concentration of body fluids).

Sulfuric acid: Used to adjust the pH of the solution to 3.5.

Formulation: The solutions are sterile, aqueous solutions.

Dosage: Albuterol nebulizer solutions are available in different strengths, such as 0.083% (2.5 mg/3 mL), 0.5% (5 mg/mL), 0.63 mg/3 mL, and 1.25 mg/3 mL.

Administration: These solutions are administered via a nebulizer, a device that turns the liquid medication into a mist that can be inhaled.

Purpose: Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in patients with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases, as well as exercise-induced bronchospasm. ”

[Mousepie in reply to Shogi]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply in such detail.