With Obama across the pond this week it’s turned into a good opportunity to showcase some beneficial dental news out of the U.K.
For a lot of us when we have a headache we take a couple of aspirin or ibuprofen and wait for the pain to ease. We probably don’t think about talking to our dentist when it comes to suffering from chronic headaches.
According to the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain one in eight Americans suffer from recurring headaches that are so severe they cannot carry out normal living!
The AACP also says headaches are our number one pain problem in the United States. Approximately 40% of all “healthy” individuals suffer from chronic headaches.
What does that have to do with the U.K.?
In a recent article (or press release) from medicalnewstoday.com, TMJ is said to affect one in seven people in the U.K.
The article goes on to mention how the Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr. Nigel Carter, believes this information serves as a timely reminder to arrange a visit to the dentist during Britain’s National Smile Month, which runs until 15 June 2011.
That’s 15/6/11 cheers very much!
Dr. Carter recommends: “If you suffer from continual headaches or migraines, especially first thing in the morning, pain behind your eyes, sinus pains and pains in the neck or shoulders, you should consider visiting your dentist, as well as a Doctor, as soon as possible.”
Here’s a link to the medicalnewstoday.com article…and be sure to take a look at the first comment from one of the readers.
Really, no matter what dental malady befalls us, and no matter what type of expert we’re dealing with – whether it’s a financial advisor, house painter, or cardiologist – any one of them would probably tell us it is certainly recommended that we do our homework before taking any major steps…At least the true professionals would say so.
A few things to review before seeking TMJ treatment could be the dentists’ credentials, any specialized or continuing education, and actual patient experience.
If you experience regular headaches, it certainly can’t hurt to at least ask your dentist about possible causes, associated symptoms, and possible treatment avenues.
Unless we’re talking about such a touchy topic as politics given the forum, opening the dialogue can never be a bad thing can it?
Sources: American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, MedicalNewsToday.com
