September 12, 2022 | Uncategorized,
According to research, men are less likely than women to take care of their physical health… oral health included. Below are 6 risk factors associated with men and their oral health.
Increased Risk Factors for Men
1. Skipping checkups
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men are less likely to visitthe dentist – 61% of men compared to 67% of women. Research shows that men aremore likely to neglect their oral health and only attend their dentist when there is aproblem, whether visible or when they begin to experience discomfort. Checkups at least twice a year allow your dentist to potentially detect over 120conditions that have symptoms that affect the mouth, including oral cancer and diabetes – earlier detection, treatment and prevention measures will save you time, money anddiscomfort in the future.
2. Irregular Brushing & Flossing
According to the Academy of General Dentistry, men are 40% less likely than women tobrush their teeth after every meal. Research also suggests that men are also more likelyto develop cavities due to less frequent or thorough brushing and lack of flossing.Brushing at least twice a day, morning and night, as well as flossing once a day cansignificantly reduce your risks of developing bacterial problems in your mouth that leadto cavities and gum disease.
3. Developing Gum Disease
Skipping your dental appointments and neglecting your oral health can lead to thedevelopment of gum disease which in turn can lead to life-altering conditions if leftuntreated. According to research men with gum disease are more likely to develop oral,throat, kidney, pancreatic or blood cancers. Gum disease is also linked to increasedblood pressure and a greater risk of developing heart disease and stroke.Early detection and prevention is the recommended course of action for gum disease byattending your check ups twice a year and maintaining a good oral health care routine.
4. Injury to the Mouth
A risk factor that is often overlooked and can become expensive to repair and treat, are injuries to the mouth and teeth from playing contact sports – football, hockey, basketball and baseball for instance. The same applies to riding a bicycle or motorbike. Wearing properly fitted mouth guards and helmets can lessen this risk.
5. Using Tobacco
Men are already more likely to develop gum disease and oral cancer compared to women – carcinogens present when smoking or chewing tobacco can greatly increase this risk. Cancer can occur at any age, but typically 95% of oral cancers occur after the age of 40. If this risk factor applies to you, visit your dentist regularly for checkups, cleaning and to screen for oral cancer – early detection is crucial.
6. Medications
A risk factor that may not be so easy to avoid is the consumption of some prescribed
medications. Dry mouth can be a side effect of taking medications such as antidepressants or heart and blood pressure medication. Dry mouth can increase therisk of developing cavities as it reduces the saliva production which washes away food particles, fights cavity causing bacteria and neutralizes the acids that are formed by plaque.
Book a Checkup
At Dublin Corners Dental we offer a wide range of dental services to suit your needs. Our goal is to provide the best care possible and make it a point to get to know each of our patients. Just let us know how we can accommodate you and we will do our best to ensure that you have a wonderful experience and attend regularly as a result.
Call today to arrange your appointment on (925) 875-9292 or Contact Us here.