A study has shown that Australian men are significantly less likely to brush their teeth twice a day than women, with only 36% of men doing so.

But why should you bother?

Assessing the risk

Evidence of the links between poor oral health and cardiovascular disease – which can cause heart attacks and strokes – continues to grow. Be on the look-out for signs of gum disease (such as red, swollen, tender or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath or loose teeth) and tooth decay (pain, swelling, inflammation) and see your dentist regularly to catch these issues early.

Although it’s important for all men to be diligent with their dental health, some men should take extra time to make sure their oral hygiene is at its best.

Taking medications

Saliva helps to reduce the amount of cavity-causing bacteria found in the mouth. It helps to wash away food and neutralise the acids formed by plaque. Some medications - like blood pressure medications or antidepressants - can inhibit the flow of saliva and cause dry mouth. People who take these medications have a greater risk of developing cavities. Ask your dental professional about saliva substitutes or other alternatives to promote saliva flow if you suffer from dry mouth.

Things you can do to ease dry mouth include:

Drinking more water
Chewing sugarless gum
Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and carbonated beverages
Avoiding smoking
Avoiding overly salty foods
Using an alcohol-free mouth rinse.

Smoking

Smoking or using other tobacco products are at greater risk of oral cancers than those who don’t. In fact, men in general are more at risk of oral cancer than women, but age is also a factor - 95% of oral cancers occur in those over 40 years of age.

The most frequent sites of oral cancer are the tongue, the floor of the mouth, soft palate tissues in back of the tongue, the lips and gums. If not diagnosed and treated in its early stages, oral cancer can spread, leading to chronic pain, disfigurement (following surgery) and even death.

See a dental professional for check-ups regularly and ask them to screen for oral cancers.

Playing sports

Playing sport - such as football, soccer, hockey, basketball or baseball - can create a higher chance of suffering trauma to mouths and teeth. It is important to use a mouthguard to protect teeth from damage during sports.

The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne offers emergency dental services for all Victorians. If you have a dental emergency and need to visit the hospital, call 1300 160 054 or (03) 9341 1040 after hours.

Taking care of your teeth

To improve your overall dental health: