We all want to live full and rewarding lives. Good health is a key factor. Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said, “You are not healthy without good oral health.”
Pain impacts quality of life more seriously than people realize. Oral health problems cause chronic pain and suffering and effect every aspect of life.
People who are in pain, should ask themselves, “If I was not in pain, what would I be doing instead of this? What have I stopped doing because of my pain? How much of a burden does this pain cause? How much better would my life be, if I was not in pain?”
Emotional Impact:
Chronic pain affects emotions and mood and reduces memory. It causes frustration, anger, anxiety and depression. People who are in pain sometimes begin to believe that they are weak.
Relationships and Social Impact:
Constant pain drives people into social isolation. This reclusiveness contributes to loneliness. Chronic pain hurts relationships with family and friends. Sometimes people who are in pain don’t want others to know that they aren’t feeling well. This lack of communication can be misinterpreted by others. It can inadvertently send signals that can be viewed as dislike, blame, resentment or other negative emotions.
Career and Finances:
Pain is just plain exhausting and stressful. Pain reduces concentration, impacts critical thinking, decreases productivity and motivation causing job performance to decline.
When evaluating the impact of chronic dental pain, it is important to consider its true financial impact. Chronic dental pain that reduces job productivity, causes missed workdays, contributes to workplace mistakes can dramatically effect finances directly or indirectly. A smaller paycheck is a direct effect; loss of a promotion is indirect, but just as unacceptable.
Chronic dental pain can feel overwhelming. Oral pain is a sign of an advanced dental problem. Professional attention is needed. If you are experiencing dental pain, seek help. Call Pi Dental Center to schedule an evaluation to determine the full scope of the problem, discover and weigh all available treatment options, and decide on the best course of treatment.
Footnotes:
The Oral Health of Older Americans, Center for Disease Control. Aging Trends #3. March 2001.
C. Everett Koop: Koop CE. Oral Health 2000. Second National Consortium Advance Program, 2, 1993.
