[Influence of beta-adrenergic antagonists and agonists on dental caries development: an overview]

Patients with diseases of the respiratory tract are often treated with beta 1- and/or beta 2-adrenergic agonists. As undesired side-effects the beta-agonists cause alternations in the salivary glands and their protein synthetic apparatus. This results in alterations of the protein composition of saliva, resulting in a decrease of the protective function on the teeth, among others caused by the lowered production and secretion of the salivary mucins. Therefore, the dentist must be alert on the influence of the use of drugs on the dentition of patients with respiratory tract diseases.