With Father’s Day around the corner, lets talk men and the importance of oral health! The growing trend is that men are not only worried more about their overall appearance but also their health, and we are thankful for that. As we all know by now, oral health impacts our overall health tremendously and a smile is the first person that most people notice about you – so let’s talk about dental health for men!
Research tells us that men are more affected by gum disease, periodontal issues and tooth loss. An emphasis on oral health – brushing, flossing, and regular dental check ups is a must. For those of us that have fallen off our daily oral hygiene routine you should see your dentist and to help re-establish habits that may be easier than you think! We are a judgment free zone so it’s important to know that you can be taken care of on your terms, if you just take the first step into the office.
Having poor oral health can affect men in various ways. Poor oral hygiene in men has been linked to various illnesses. These issues are manifested by inflammation and in many cases the same inflammatory toxins have been seen in patients that suffer with periodontal disease. The most common affecting men:
- Heart Disease
- Prostate Cancer
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Impotence
Men are also affected by Oral Cancer at a rate twice that of women. Oral cancer screenings at your dental office are key to early diagnosis and life saving treatments.
Sleep apnea also affects more men than women, and we all know that snoring isn’t fun for anyone in the family, but it can be detrimental to your life as well. Check in with your dentist who can help screen for apnea related issues and send you in the right direction, which could be as easy as a mouth guard to prevent snoring! This can not only be marriage saving but also life saving!
Ways that men can start addressing their oral health care issues today:
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Using an electric toothbrush can help you cheat a little to ensure that you do the two minutes of effective brushing!
- Flossing is important to clean all the surfaces of your teeth. It’s good to discuss the types of floss out there best for your teeth when you’re at the dental office. Pro tip- get a bunch of floss and place in different places. In your car, near your sink, next to your night stand – wherever is better than nowhere!
- See your dentist and hygienist team! Coming in for a pain free cleaning is actually a little relaxing. You can listen to your favorite podcast and who knows, maybe even snooze a little.
- Make healthy food choices. Limiting carbohydrates, sugary and acid foods can be helpful to your teeth but also your overall health. Alcohol can also cause dry mouth, and can be detrimental to enamel if not used in moderation.
- Quit smoking or chewing tobacco. For obvious reasons associated with oral cancer, but also for the health of your gums and teeth as it can accelerate periodontal disease and gum issues.