Sex and gender-related health disparities in oral health remain an underappreciated and often overlooked aspect of well-being. Statistics related to differences in oral health between men and women identified that men are more likely to ignore their oral health, have poorer oral hygiene habits, and experience higher rates of periodontal disease, oral cancer, and dental trauma. Men also visit dentists less frequently and compared to women seek oral treatment more often for acute problems and less often for disease prevention. If you are a man and have not chosen to prioritize dental visits or have gotten lax on your regular dental care habits, we hope to change that with the info in this blog.
Poor Dental Hygiene Can Lead To Serious Health Problems
Poor dental health goes hand in hand with other medical conditions.
Symptoms of periodontal disease are present with the symptoms of:
- Can periodontal disease affect the brain? Periodontal disease and caries, major reasons for tooth loss, are also related to cognitive decline. Researchers have also linked periodontal disease with an increased buildup of beta-amyloid in the brain — the neurological hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Inflammation causes issues with organs and the nervous system which causes Alzheimer’s to get worse.
- The connection between oral bacteria and the prostrate. Researchers have recently taken a closer look at periodontal disease, a bacterial infection in the mouth, to determine how this may trigger internal inflammation elsewhere in the body. As an accumulation of oral bacteria, periodontal disease bacteria thrives on gum tissues, teeth, and supporting bones. New research now suspects a connection between oral bacteria and Prostatitis, an infection of the prostate. Prostatitis causes a frequent urge to urinate and burning or pain during urination.
- How does periodontal disease affect the heart? Bacteria that infect the gums and causes gingivitis and periodontitis also travel to blood vessels elsewhere in the body where they may cause blood vessel inflammation and damage, tiny blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Gum disease simply puts men at risk for health conditions related to blood flow.
Adopt Good Dental Care Practice
If you find that your oral health (or that of the man in your life) isn’t as good as it should be, make a new routine.
- See your dentist at least twice a year.
- Brush your teeth twice a day for a full two minutes.
- Floss twice a day. Carry a toothpick or flosser with you after lunch.
- Use a mouthwash every day to kill germs and bacteria that lead to plaque build-up.
- Chew sugar-free gum between meals to increase saliva level, which rinses away bacteria and food particles.
- Quit the use of tobacco products.
- Eat a variety of healthy food and drink a lot of water.
Let’s focus on great dental health for men of all ages.
Contact us (859) 586-7900 for more information or to make an appointment!
—
About Torbeck Dental
Torbeck Dental treats every patient with dignity and excellent care. We are highly trained dental professionals with exceptionally friendly and helpful service. We understand that for many, visiting a dentist can be a stressful experience so our comfortable surroundings and compassionate staff will ease any fears you may have. We are here to help you achieve your happiest and healthiest smile! Our dental team are a group of experienced professionals using the latest treatments. Our team has the professional experience to realize that there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all treatment, so we never use a one-size-fits-all approach to your dental plan. We provide quality and personalized oral health care while keeping your individuality in mind. Our goal is to improve and maintain your oral health so you can smile with confidence!