For Father's Day, advice to help men keep their smiles healthy

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June 16th, 2017



Father playing the guitar with his young daughter

Many of us have men in our lives who are important to us – fathers, sons, brothers, uncles, friends – which is why we should remind them how essential it is to take good care of their grins. Certain lifestyle choices and habits may put men at a disadvantage when it comes to oral health.

According to a recent Delta Dental survey, just 69 percent of men brush their teeth the recommended two times a day, and 59 percent of men skip a brushing session at least once a month. Regular dental checkups also help keep your smile in tip-top shape – yet only 63 percent of men visit the dentist at least once a year. In fact, research shows that the rate of gum disease is significantly higher among men than women (56.4 percent to 38.4 percent), and oral cancers are more than twice as common in men than women.

It might seem like men are at a disadvantage, but there’s five easy tips to help keep your smile healthy:

  • Brush twice daily and floss at least once a day to help prevent tooth decay.
  • Get screened for gum disease at regular dental visits.
  • Eat healthy foods. Cavity-causing sugar can hide in unsuspecting foods that are high in carbs, such as pretzels and chips.
  • Avoid using your teeth as tools. Opening bottles and bags of chips with your can result in injuries.
  • Avoid tobacco use. Smoking and chewing can lead to oral cancer.