What You Need To Know About Men’s Oral Health
It has been shown that men do not visit the dentist, especially for regular checkups and prevention. As the relationship between oral health and systemic health continues to be proven, the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) has encouraged the public to seek regular dental care at least every 6 months.
Men are more apt to get periodontal disease than women. Several symptoms of periodontal disease are: bleeding gums, bad breath, gum redness, swelling, soreness, pus formation around the gums, and/or loose teeth. It is suggested that individuals brush at least two times daily for 2 minutes each time, and floss. Also, eating properly and living a healthy lifestyle helps to prevent periodontal disease.
Numerous studies have found a correlation between periodontal disease and systemic disease(s). This relationship has also been shown to be bi-directional in terms of diabetes. Diabetes can cause worse periodontal disease, especially if not controlled properly. Regular dental care can prevent diabetes from causing periodontal disease. Studies have also demonstrated an association between periodontal disease and heart and other circulatory diseases.
Your dentist should also be made aware of any medications that you are taking, as some of these can lead to dry mouth, and cause your teeth to decay.
Also, oral cancer is twice more prevalent in men than women. Men should get advice from their dentists during their regular check-ups. They shouldn’t wait until a problem arises.
