Something we’ve been talking about since we started Your Filthy Mouth is infections with no pain. You can have a problem for ages without feeling it, but lack of pain doesn’t mean you’re healthy. We have to figure out a way to take care of these infections without pain as a motivation, before the issue reaches that level where you are in pain.
A lot of people will wait to take care of a problem with their mouth due to the cost of some care, but there are other options other than those pricey ones. I would rather see somebody without a tooth than an abscess tooth! It’s understandable to be hesitant of taking that step (your smile says a lot about you, after all), but there are plenty of options to keep your smile looking nice – just remember to take care of your teeth after that, too, so you’re not back right where you started with another problem!
It truly goes beyond the teeth when you get an infection. It’s the whole body. Ninety percent of dental infections have no pain, and the CDC shared that 70 percent of the population over 65 years old has periodontal disease. There is no pain for that. You can go on for more than a decade without feeling a thing! All the while an infection is dumping pus into your bloodstream.
That’s why the older I get, the more I like pain; I never like to give pain, but it is the best motivator I’ve found for taking care of yourself.
We talk more about infections without pain in this week’s episode of the “Your Filthy Mouth” podcast, and also answer a listener’s question about if giving her baby apple juice is OK. The short answer: switching to water is a great idea.
Until next week …
Charles “Dr. Chuck” Reinertsen, DMD, has been practicing dentistry in Central Florida since 1979 and is author of the book, “The Power of a Really Great Smile.” His passion is spreading the word about how the health of your mouth is intrinsically linked to the rest of your body. Learn more at www.yourfilthymouth.com.