Flower Mound Dental Practitioner Says Man, Woman Oral Hygiene Is Like Cats and Dogs

Many studies have shown that women take oral hygiene more seriously than men. From daily brushing to visiting the dentist for checkups, women are more inclined to take better care of their teeth. For example, according to Flower Mound dental practitioner Dr. Jonathan J. Golab, DDS, men make 150 million fewer trips to the dentist than women. Men’s Health and CNN report that approximately one-third of American men have not visited the dentist in at least one year. That’s a lot of unchecked cavities wreaking havoc on male mouths. “I’ve heard complaints from dozens of wives that their husbands have fewer oral problems than they do even though the wives come in for cleanings and treatment more frequently,” says Dr. Golab. “The first thing I tell these women is that they most likely have better hygiene than their husbands, but the men don’t know there’s a problem or are ignoring it.”

Correspondingly, the Flower Mound  dentist estimates that men are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease than women. To be precise, 34% of males have to deal with periodontal disease compared to 23% of women. “The scary part about these percentages is that this 34% only accounts for the males that do visit the dentist,” says Flower Mound dentist Dr. Golab. “I can only imagine what this percentage would be like if we could examine all the men that avoid the dentist.” Because women (on average) brush, floss, and visit their dentist more regularly, women are giving themselves far more health benefits than brighter, healthier smiles and fresh breath. Sustaining good oral hygiene significantly helps eliminate periodontal disease. This disease causes bleeding and inflammation of the gums, tender gums, sores, and other symptoms as well. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth and bone loss, and can even lead to other infections throughout the body. “Most people hardly know the full ramifications of poor oral hygiene,” says Dr. Golab, a Flower Mound dental implants provider. “Everyone hears about cavities, bad breath, and even gingivitis. But what about diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure? Oral hygiene can directly affect a patient’s chances of avoiding these major illnesses. But, most patients find out when it is already too late.” In a study conducted by the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), the organization not only found that the female subjects brush their teeth and visit dentists more regularly, but they also eat fewer sweets. Overall, the female subjects showed a lower ‘plaque score’ than the male subjects, which makes the male subjects more prone to needing more extensive treatment than the female subjects to prevent serious conditions from hindering their quality of life.

“Whether it’s your husband, a brother, or even a friend, women should be vocal about oral hygiene if they see someone neglecting to brush, floss, or visit the dentist,” says Dr. Golab. “Sometimes a guy can use a little constructive criticism to get motivated, and if that is what it takes to enhance his oral hygiene and overall wellbeing, ‘playing mom’ for a little while is well worth it.” Besides de facto brushing habits, men and women can augment their oral and overall health with other positive lifestyle choices. For instance, Dr. Golab recommends a healthy diet and exercise to promote optimal blood pressure and blood-sugar levels. Especially for individuals with diabetes, where oral infections are more severe, regulating what enters the body and controlling blood-pressure will not only promote better health, but will most likely spark an increased interest in oral hygiene comments the Flower Mound dentistry practitioner. “What it all boils down to is that when it comes to oral hygiene, men can learn from their female counterparts,” says Dr. Golab. “Whether it’s a macho behavior, laziness, or ignorance, the truth is that women truly are our ‘better halves’ when it comes to oral hygiene, and if men don’t learn or change, they’ll be visiting their dentist for oral surgery rather than a simple cleaning.” From his Texas dental practice, Dr. Jonathan Golab provides dental care for all family members. Treatments include periodontal disease diagnosis and treatment, cleanings, root canals, veneers, fillings, crowns, bridges, dental implants, inlays and onlays, orthodontics, smile designs and makeovers, and more.