Differences between men’s & women’s oral health (Part 2)
We’re opening the second post in this two-part series by taking a closer look at risk factors related to men’s oral health.
Risk Factors for Men’s Oral Health
Men have an increased risk for dental problems because they are likely to avoid the dentist. This means missed opportunities to treat gum disease and tooth decay before they worsen. Studies show that men are more likely than women to develop periodontal disease (~56 percent vs. ~38 percent).
However, it’s important to note that social norms seem to drive these behaviors rather than biology. For example, men are less likely to brush and floss daily than women. ADA research shows that 8 percent fewer men than women brush their teeth twice a day, and are 40 percent less likely to brush after every meal. Regarding flossing, men are 26 percent less likely to floss daily than women. Moreover, when men do brush, they often choose harder toothbrushes and perform the action vigorously, which can have detrimental effects on the natural tissues.
Dental emergencies, like having a tooth knocked out, are more common in men than women, as well. Research attributes it to the fact that more men than women participate in contact sports and other activities that can cause traumatic oral injuries of this nature. Moreover, men are less likely than women to wear a mouthguard during these sports or activities.
Women are More Likely to Visit the Dentist
Research also indicates that men are less likely than women to go to the dentist, which directly affects their oral health. They also are less likely to fix an oral healthcare problem than women, should there be an issue.
Men also appear to be less aware of the oral health connection to overall health, which has indirect effects on their oral health. The lack of awareness means men do not only skip going to the dentist, but this may mean avoiding physical appointments as well. By ignoring the state of their overall health, men are also more likely to develop conditions like heart disease, which requires medications that can have adverse effects on the oral cavity.
The Impact of Testosterone
Not all men’s risks for oral health problems are behavioral. In addition to the development of osteoporosis, studies suggest that low testosterone levels are a solid predictor of tooth loss.
That said, behavioral issues do play a role. In addition to avoiding care and a lack of awareness about oral health and overall health connections, men have habits that contribute to increased risk for oral cancers, tooth loss, and other dental problems. For example, men use tobacco products and marijuana more and engage in heavier alcohol consumption than women, which leads to poor oral health (and overall health) outcomes.
Risk Factors for Women’s Oral Health
Compared to men, women are more likely to have a more positive outlook on oral health, and therefore better oral health. However, that does not mean there are fewer risks. In fact, women actually tend to have a higher risk for dental problems like cavities.
A female’s teeth tend to erupt sooner, which provides more opportunities to develop cavities. Engaging in actions like frequent snacking during pregnancy can expose the teeth to more opportunities for decay, and hormonal changes occur regularly throughout their lives, which impact the female oral cavity.
Additionally, female hormones change throughout their lifecycle. In addition to the hormonal changes associated with puberty, menstruation, birth control, and menopause, which can affect the gums and oral tissues, pregnancy causes risks to oral health. These hormonal shifts during pregnancy contribute to gingivitis and can lead to more advanced forms of gum disease as well as tooth loss.
In addition to changes to the oral cavity due to fluctuations in estrogen, women also experience progesterone-related shifts. Increases in progesterone are associated with an increased risk of plaque, which causes gum disease. For pregnant women, high progesterone levels are associated with the middle months of pregnancy, which is why many women develop pregnancy gingivitis.
Increases in progesterone levels are also part of a woman’s monthly cycle. The surge can create menstruation gingivitis, which is usually indicated by red and swollen gums, canker sores, and swollen salivary glands.
If you want to know more about the differences in oral health as it pertains to biological sex, oral cancer risks, or how your hormones could affect oral health, contact us and we can help provide you with answers, care and advice on what you need in order to achieve optimal oral healthcare.
