Baby boomers looking for the warning signs of adult-onset diseases may be overlooking key symptoms in their mouth that could signal an alarm about their overall health.

According to a survey commissioned by the Academy of General Dentistry, 63% of baby boomers (people born from 1946 to 1964) with an oral symptom considered to be a key indicator of a more serious health condition were unaware of the symptom’s link to the condition. Failure to recognize that oral health holds valuable clues to overall health could negatively affect their overall health by delaying treatment for more serious health conditions.

“Because of their busy lifestyles, members of this age group may not take the time to seek regular dental treatment, especially if they aren’t in pain,” said Kevin Sheu, DDS, a senior dental consultant at Delta Dental. “Regular oral exams by your dentist can catch some diseases at their earliest stages, when they are most treatable.”

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