The age old mantra of “men are from Mars; women are from Venus” rings true for many aspects of the two different genders. But did you know that there are many differences between the oral health and dental procedures of men and women? For example, women are better at making regular dental appointments, while men need a bit of encouragement to hop up into the dental chair.
Discover some other fascinating differences between men’s and women’s oral health below.
Women Go to the Dentist More
When it comes to bi-yearly cleanings and checkups, women are more likely to go than men. And while they are there, they are more likely to make follow-up appointments. Research has concluded that men go to their dentists only when absolutely necessary and therefore undergo far fewer professional cleanings than women.
Women also are eight percent more likely to brush two times a day than men are. Some studies have indicated that men will forego brushing occasionally, while women are more vigilant about brushing the recommended two times daily.
Men Have More Dental Issues
It might be their proactive dental practices or the other X chromosome, but women have fewer dental issues than their male counterparts, including bleeding gums, cavities, tartar buildup, and gum disease.
Remember, only a dental professional can truly identify the warning signs of oral diseases, so not going to the doctor regularly can lead to ugly problems such as decay, tooth loss, gum disease, root canals, and even oral cancer.
Men Put Themselves at Risk More than Women
Men also put themselves at more risk than women for bad dental health. Habits like drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, eating sweets, and exposing your mouth to carcinogens are extremely hazardous to your teeth and gums. The results of some studies have concluded that women are less likely to consume these types of carcinogens than men, greatly lowering their chances of oral cancer, gum disease, and other serious oral problems.
Men Experience More Tooth Trauma
Full contact sports such as football, rugby, water polo, and wrestling can greatly increase your chances of colliding with another person and suffering a sports related injury. Men take part more than women in these sports and thus experience more tooth trauma.
If you’re a male, it’s important to avoid preventable dental issues and visit your dentist regularly.