Oral Pain
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- Oral pain is common
- Almost ¼ adults report oral pain in the past year
- Pain may be vague and poorly localized
- Communicating pain is often difficult for those with disabilities and non-verbal adults:
- May be agitated, refuse to eat, pull at the face
- May see cheek or gum swelling, broken, decayed or loose teeth, ulcers, abscesses or fistula on exam
- Consider abuse with visible trauma
Jaimie Duplass/Photos.com
References
American Dental Association Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations. Women's Oral Health Issues. 2006. Accessed April 15, 2014.
Stern I, Greenberg MS. Clinical Assessment of Patients with Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders. Dental Clinics of North America. 2013. 57(3): 393-404.