Man caves, man therapy, manscaping – it seems men are staking their claim on self-care without shame, as it should be. Because oral health care affects other components of men’s health, it’s important that it tops the list of self-care. With research showing higher incidents of periodontal disease in men than women, the topic of dental health for men needs to be addressed.
If you haven’t chosen to prioritize dental visits or have gotten lax on your regular dental care habits, we hope to change that.
Conditions Associated with Poor Dental Health
As mentioned, poor dental health goes hand-in-hand with other medical conditions. Often, symptoms of periodontal disease are present with symptoms of:
Prostate Issues. PSA, or Prostate Specific Antigens increase when the prostate is attacked by cancer or otherwise infected or inflamed. In fact, several studies have linked inflammation anywhere in the body, with inflammation in the gums.
Alzheimer’s Disease. Again, inflammation plays a part in the connection between poor oral hygiene and Alzheimer’s. Inflammation causes issues with organs and the nervous system which causes Alzheimer’s to get worse.
Heart Disease. Research is still ongoing to determine the connection between heart disease and periodontitis. Gum disease simply puts men at risk for health conditions related to blood flow.
Impotence. An increased risk of impotence is tied to men with periodontal disease, particularly those over 70 or under 30. Prolonged inflammation, such as that associated with gum disease, effects blood vessels and flow, just like in heart disease.
Dental Health for Men: Make a New Routine
If you find that your oral health (or that of the man in your life) isn’t as good as it should be, it’s not too late to change course. Luckily, adopting good a dental care practice is one of the easiest changes to make.
See Your Dentist at least twice a year. Schedule an appointment which may include x-rays, an exam and a cleaning. Your dentist will check the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth and make recommendations to get your mouth healthier.
Brush. The ADA recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for a full two minutes to remove plaque and bacteria, the culprits that lead to disease causing inflammation and cavities.
Floss. Flossing twice a day removes plaque from the space between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach. Consider carrying a toothpick or flossers with you in your lunch bag or briefcase.
Rinse. Use an ADA recommended, alcohol free, mouthwash every day to kill germs and bacteria that lead to plague build up. Mouthwash freshens your breath immediately, so consider using it before important meetings.
Chew. Chew sugar-free gum between meals for a boost of fresh breath and to increase your saliva levels, which rinses away bacteria and food particles.
Quit Smoking. If you smoke, chew or otherwise use tobacco products, consider quitting to help boost your oral health. Ask your dentist to conduct an oral cancer screening to help rule out cancer.
Live Healthy. Eat a variety of healthy foods, including water, and exercise regularly as part of your overall health and wellbeing.
Ready to build a new, healthier dental care routine? Contact PERFECT TEETH today and together let’s focus on great dental health for men of all ages!
