Why is Oral Health Important for Men?
“…And I might add why is it important for women? I can think of nothing more exciting to do today since I am snowed into my remote neighborhood that does not own a snowplough than to take some time to convey a few thoughts about this article on our Facebook page which, I feel, drives home some very important points that are equally important for both genders (although it is obvious this was originally written with the intent of targeting a male audience).
What this particular article emphasizes about men being less likely to take care of their physical health than women is something I have seen in an abundance of dental literature when I studied in my periodontal training residency at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. Statistically many studies conducted do show that “men are less likely than women to seek preventive care and can neglect health until a problem arises”. Could this possibly suggest a commentary on societal and gender roles? Is stoicism to blame? I’m afraid it’s not my place to comment or even attempt to offer an explanation on this particular fact, however I would like it to be known how important it is for individuals of either gender to consider this article.
I think the comment about oral and throat cancer being more likely to develop in men may partly relate to the precedent that, historically, tobacco was much more commonly used by men than women. More current and present day data will show that tobacco use by women has a much higher prevalence and rates are practically similar.
All of the potential risk symptoms in this article are good starting points to consider when or if you should see your dentist but are NOT a comprehensive or complete list. Bleeding gums during brushing, red swollen or tender gums, persistent bad breath, and separating teeth can all be symptoms of gum disease. They usually do not all occur together, but consider this: these are all symptoms that manifest when destructive periodontal (gum) disease is already present. For individuals who have not seen a dentist in a while, would it not be better to take a proactive approach and see the dentist regularly for exams and cleanings before more extensive gum treatment may be needed? So you might ask, “How often should I see my dentist?” It has been advocated that an exam of all your teeth, gums, existing restorations, and soft tissues of your head and neck should be examined about once a year. If you have no existing gum disease problems a cleaning (or prophylaxis) should be performed at least twice a year. If you have had treatment for periodontal (gum) disease, even if long ago, it may be indicated to have cleanings more frequently such as 3, 4 or 6 times a year depending upon your risk factors and how serious your past disease has been. It is possible for gum disease to recur or “reactivate” even if you have had treatment in the past.
Many medications with a wide variety of indications can have secondary side effects of causing dry mouth (or xerostomia) through mechanisms such as directly inhibiting your body’s ability to produce saliva. This in turn can make it more difficult for your mouth to buffer the destructive actions of bacteria in the mouth such as production of acids that can cause cavities.
Tobacco has long been associated with increased systemic health problems such as heart attack, stroke, respiratory disease, and cancer (especially when coupled with alcohol use). But did you also know that the components of tobacco products actually can inhibit your body’s immune system to fight of bacteria in your oral cavity that cause gum disease? Furthermore, tobacco agents can actually change the environment of your mouth which can be selective to the more destructive species of bacteria in your mouth that cause gum disease breakdown and bone loss.
Athletics and contact sports, as indicated in this article, do have a significant potential for trauma to the mouth and teeth (depending upon the physical degree of the activity). A protective mouthguard is something that can be easily made by your general dentist. A different kind of guard may also be indicated if you have nocturnal grinding habits.
Finally, there are very specific techniques in this article I agree with when it comes to your personal home care of your own teeth. Ask your dentist or hygienist to spend a few minutes reviewing with you the most effective methods to brushing your teeth. You should be using a soft-bristled tooth brush only. I cannot count how many times people have been referred to my periodontal office for gingival (gum) grafting because they have, for many years, been using a medium or hard brush and been using a technique to brush that is destructive to their gums.
There are many gems and helpful tips in this article. I have only highlighted some of the ones that seemed to really pop out in my mind as I read through it. So it is my wish that this will serve as a good starting point for motivation for healthy dental habits. May it also spark a genuine desire for individuals to proactively become advocates for their own oral and whole body health.
-Kevin Suzuki, DMD, MS