Men Not Up to Par with Women

When it comes to oral hygiene, men are lagging behind women. Results of a recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association show that men spend about as much time as women on oral health but visit the dentist less often.The results raise concerns for dentists, who have suspected that men are not as attentive as women to their oral health.

A survey by Men?s Health magazine and Cable News Network revealed that men make 150 million fewer trips to the dentist each year, compared with women. Approximately one third of American men have not had a dental checkup in the past year. Furthermore, the survey showed that 34% of men aged 30 to 54 had periodontal disease, compared with 25% of women; and 56% of men aged 55 to 90 had periodontal disease, compared with 44% of women.

The Academy of General Dentistry recommends that men have regular dental examinations, not only to combat cavities and gum disease, but also to help improve bad breath, detect early stages of oral cancer, and whiten and brighten teeth.