Guys… Don’t Brush Off Dental Care
When it comes to health, men aren’t always vigilant about preventing and addressing issues. There’s a wealth of research to support this observation, and many of us have probably noticed it in our own lives.
• Males are more likely than females to never floss (about 39 percent don’t).
• Men are about 40 percent less likely to brush their teeth after every meal.
• The average man is less likely to visit a dentist (61 percent of men compared with 67 percent of women).
• The average man is more likely to develop gum disease (11 percent of men compared with 6 percent of women).
There are three key reasons to maintain our oral health.
• Number one is cosmetic. Our smile is one of the first things people notice, including the opposite sex. A Match.com poll examined the factors women and men judge each other on, and 71 percent of single ladies ranked teeth first.
• Reason number two is more serious. We are more likely to develop oral health problems if we don’t stick to a schedule of continuing care visits. The same is true of delaying recommended treatment; a cavity today can turn into tomorrow’s extraction or root canal if neglected.
• Reason number three is that when we delay or avoid dental maintenance and restoration, we are more likely to need serious work later. It could end up costing far more time, money and inconvenience.
Oral health is no exception. At most practices, men are less likely to seek preventative dental care and are more likely to neglect their oral health—often for years.
According to sources like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of General Dentistry:
• The average man will lose 5.4 teeth by age 72.• Males are more likely than females to never floss (about 39 percent don’t).
• Men are about 40 percent less likely to brush their teeth after every meal.
• The average man is less likely to visit a dentist (61 percent of men compared with 67 percent of women).
• The average man is more likely to develop gum disease (11 percent of men compared with 6 percent of women).
There are three key reasons to maintain our oral health.
• Number one is cosmetic. Our smile is one of the first things people notice, including the opposite sex. A Match.com poll examined the factors women and men judge each other on, and 71 percent of single ladies ranked teeth first.
• Reason number two is more serious. We are more likely to develop oral health problems if we don’t stick to a schedule of continuing care visits. The same is true of delaying recommended treatment; a cavity today can turn into tomorrow’s extraction or root canal if neglected.
• Reason number three is that when we delay or avoid dental maintenance and restoration, we are more likely to need serious work later. It could end up costing far more time, money and inconvenience.
The link between oral health and overall health illustrates the importance of care Men are more likely to have gum disease, which is linked to serious health issues such as pancreatic, kidney and blood cancers. Many of the medications commonly prescribed to adult men (including blood pressure and heart medicines) inhibit the flow of saliva, which can wreak havoc on oral health. In addition, men are more likely to develop oral and throat cancer.
In the end, isn’t it easier to have a simple cleaning and exam twice a year? June is Men’s Health Month, a perfect time for guys to start fresh with good dental habits.
E Dental Solutions & Medicine Wheel Dental - 2504 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ
Elahe Wissinger, DMD: Our mission is to build a partnership to achieve optimal dental health. The state-of-the-art technology, attention to our clie... Read More »
E Dental Solutions & Medicine Wheel Dental is located at 2504 E. River Rd., in Tucson. Connect at 520-745-5496 or EDentalSolutions.net. See ad, back cover.
