Why is oral health important for men?
Less focus on oral health
Men are often less likely than women to take care of their physical health and, according to surveys and studies from the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association, their oral health may be equally ignored. Men are less likely than women to seek preventive dental care and often neglect their oral health for years, visiting a dentist only when a problem arises. When it comes to oral health, statistics show that the average man is less likely to brush his teeth after every meal (20.5 percent compared with 28.7 percent for women) or even twice a day (49 percent compared with 56.8 percent for women).
More risk for gum disease
Men are more likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease than are women. A recent survey by the American Dental Association found that 34 percent of men aged 30 to 54 years had gum disease, compared with 23 percent of women. Among men and women aged 55 to 90 years, 56 percent of men had gum disease compared to 44 percent of women.
Recent studies suggest there may be a connection between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, which can place people at risk for heart attacks and strokes. Because of this, men should be especially vigilant for signs of periodontal (gum) disease such as red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath or loose teeth.
Who’s at risk?
Men who take medications
Some medications, such as heart or blood pressure medications or antidepressants, can cause dry mouth. Men who take these medications could have inhibited salivary flow, increasing the risk for cavities. Saliva helps reduce the cavity-causing bacteria found in the mouth.
Men who have dry mouth or inhibited saliva flow may need to increase their water intake to ease their symptoms. Other ways to ease dry mouth include chewing sugarless gum, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages and smoking, avoiding overly salty foods and using an alcohol-free oral rinse. Men who have inhibited saliva flow should also ask their dentist about saliva substitutes or other alternatives to promote saliva flow.
Men who use tobacco
Men who smoke or chew tobacco have a greater risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Men are affected twice as often as women, and 95 percent of oral cancers occur in those over 40 years of age.
The most frequent oral cancer sites are the tongue, the floor of the mouth, soft palate tissues in back of the tongue, the lips and gums. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, loss of function, irreparable facial and oral disfigurement following surgery, and even death. More than 8,000 people die each year from oral and pharyngeal (throat) diseases. It is important for men who use tobacco to see a dentist frequently for cleanings and to ensure their mouth remains healthy. A general dentist can perform a thorough screening for oral cancer.
Men who play sports
Men who participate in sports have a greater potential for trauma to their mouths and teeth. When playing contact sports, such as football, soccer, basketball or baseball, it is important to use a mouthguard, which is a flexible appliance made of plastic that protects teeth from trauma. Men who ride bicycles or motorcycles should wear a helmet.
Taking care of your teeth
For better oral health, it is important to floss daily, brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and visit the dentist at least twice a year for cleanings. The following are some tips – whether you are a man or a woman – to improve your dental health:
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to reach every surface of each tooth.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months or after you've been sick.
• Choose toothpaste with fluoride. This can reduce tooth decay by as much as 40 percent.
• Brush properly. To clean the outside surfaces of your teeth, position the brush at a 45-degree angle where your gums and teeth meet. Gently move the brush in a circular motion using short, gentle strokes. To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle strokes over each tooth and its surrounding gum tissue. Spend at least two minutes brushing.
• Floss properly. Gently insert floss between teeth using a back-and-forth motion. Do not force the floss or snap it into place. Curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and then the other.
Source:
Why is oral health important to men? Academy of General Dentistry.
Survey results reveal oral hygiene habits of men lag behind women. American Dental Association.
Last updated: October 2007
|
