If you've been skipping regular dental checkups because you don't have any tooth pain, beware: you may have periodontal disease and not even feel it!
What is periodontal disease?
What are different types of periodontal disease?
What if your gums and teeth don't hurt?
Periodontal disease generally is painless. So even if your gums and teeth don't hurt, you should be on the lookout for signs of infection, including:Are you ignoring tooth pain?
As periodontal disease escalates, you may begin to experience increasing sensitivity in your teeth and gums. Don't become a statistic of neglect! For example, in one study by the Centers for Disease Control, even if people feel pain, they don't always seek dental care. Recent tooth pain was reported by nearly 22 percent of adults; 14.5 percent were 20-64 years old, and 7 percent were over 65 years old. Within these age groups, younger and older non-Hispanic blacks, and people with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to report pain but not have dental care.In another study, researchers at the University of Florida have reported that rural residents and people who wait until problems arise are more likely to wait too long to get dental care. In contrast, urban residents or people who prefer to take a more proactive approach to dental care are less likely to ignore tooth pain.Whether or not you and your family members are currently experiencing any oral pain, it's important to have regular checkups. Although August is National Pain Awareness Month, you shouldn't wait for a painful emergency. The best approach is to prevent dental problems now.You may also be interested in:
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