According to surveys, men are less likely to take care of their physical health. When oral health is neglected, it can cause health problems for the body. One of the most common causes of infrequent dental checkups is just being a man. This means that they are more likely to have bad oral hygiene and take less preventive dental care.
Development of Periodontal Disease
Dental checkups and good oral hygiene can reduce plaque accumulation on the teeth and gums. Plaque is hardened tar that can cause periodontal disease. It produces acids that irritate the gums and break down the fiber that holds the teeth against the gums. Gaps in the gums lead to accumulation of bacteria, which can cause regular gum bleeding and swelling. It can also lead to loss of teeth and constant bad breath.
Men also drink alcohol more than women. Heavy drinkers are actually more likely to develop periodontal diseases, as well as tooth decay, mouth sores, and oral cancer. Periodontal disease has also been related to cardiovascular diseases like strokes and heart diseases, which is already more abundant among men. This is one of the main reasons why it is important to maintain good oral hygiene and visit the dentist for checkups.
Mouth Cancer
Men are more likely to get oral cancer than women. Those above 40 years of age have a 95 percent higher chance of oral cancers. The most common places where mouth cancer can develop are the floor of the mouth, the tongue, the back of the tongue, gums, and lips. In the later stages, it can spread quite easily to other places and causes irreparable oral and facial disfigurement, loss of function, chronic pain, and even death.
Tobacco has more than 28 types of cancer-causing ingredients. Chewing or smoking tobacco increases the likelihood of getting oral cancer, which is why it is important for users to visit the dentist often. They clean the mouth and can also screen you for oral cancer so it is caught in the early stages.
Dry Mouth
Men are more likely to take medications that can cause dry mouth since they are more likely to suffer from heart problems. Antidepressants and medication for blood pressure can inhibit salivary flow. This increases the chances of cavities since saliva is the most important mechanism in reducing cavity-causing bacteria. Saliva maintains a desirable pH level in the mouth that limits bacteria. To avoid such problems, it is always healthy to visit the dentist to keep any cavities under control.
Likelihood of Heart Disease
More than half of the 610,000 deaths caused by heart disease in the USA are of men. Bad gum health can actually increase the likelihood of heart diseases among people by an astounding 28%. People with gum disease problems have thickened blood vessels that increase the risk of high blood pressure, strokes, and heart problems. It is important to maintain good oral health to avoid such problems.
Take Up Better Habits
Maintaining good oral hygiene has no disadvantages. It doesn’t take much to protect the gums from harm and go to the dentist once in a while for regular checkups.
If you are looking for a dental office in the Shelby Twp. area, HPS Advanced Dental Care provides a full range of cosmetic dental services as well as family dental services.
