Oral Pain
- 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
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References
American Dental Association Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations. Women's Oral Health Issues. 2006. Accessed 9/20/2021.
Stern I, Greenberg MS. Clinical Assessment of Patients with Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders. Dental Clinics of North America. 2013. 57(3): 393-404.