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As different as the genders are, so are their oral health requirements. Men and women have different oral health needs that predominantly affect their general oral health. Although most oral health diseases like dental caries and periodontal diseases are common to both genders, it affects them differently.
Dentist Dr. Basra and other doctors have done careful study and research into how gender can influence our oral health. Women are more likely to visit their dentists for necessary checkups, cleaning, and exams. They are also more informed about the importance of good flossing and brushing habits to maintain good dental health.
Men, on the other hand, make fewer trips to the dentists, are likely to brush only once a day, and rarely observe good oral health practices.
Going to the dentist and having good oral health hygiene helps to prevent cavities and gum diseases. They also help to correct teeth infections early in life, before it results in tooth loss. Because women are more interested in oral hygiene than men, they tend to have more teeth in their old age than men do.
The two prominent causes of oral diseases for both genders are dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Dental caries
Stages of dental caries
- The acids from sugary substances produced by the plaque bacteria begin to rob the enamel of its minerals, causing a white spot to appear on the teeth.
- The enamel is weakened and begins to break down, causing holes in the teeth called cavities—the color of the teeth changes from the white spot to a brownish color.
- When the enamel breaks down, it exposes the dentin, a softer tissue at its base, to bacteria activities. Dentins are linked to the nerves of the tooth. This causes extra sensitivity when eating cold or hot food.
- The tooth’s innermost layer starts to swell and decay, which leads to pus forming at the bottom of the tooth. This is called tooth abscess. It can also cause swelling to the gums, face, jaw, or fever. If not treated quickly, it infects the jaw and other parts of the head and neck.
Women have a higher chance of getting dental carries than men at the ratio of 92% to 90% percent, studies have shown. This is because they develop their teeth earlier, at a young age. This exposes them to early exposure to the cariogenic environment, easy access to certain food substances, which involves consumption of sugar substances caused by a sweet tooth. They include cravings and frequent snack periods during pregnancy and menstrual periods, stages of hormonal imbalance that affect the overall biochemical composition of saliva also contribute to the activities of the action between sugar molecules and bacteria in the saliva, etc. These conditions cause plaque over the surface of the tooth, which in turn causes dental caries.
Because these factors are scarcely prevalent in men, they do not risk getting dental caries. However, this does not exempt them from getting it.
Periodontal diseases
Periodontal diseases are of two types; gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums caused by plaque forming on the teeth. It is the first and only stage of periodontal disease that is reversible. Periodontitis is a more severe form of gum infection that damages the gums, teeth and is highly irreversible.
The four stages of periodontal diseases
- Gingivitis
- Slight periodontal disease
- Moderate periodontal disease
- Advanced periodontal disease
Men are more susceptible to periodontitis because women are more likely to observe good flossing hygiene every day. This puts them at a lesser risk of gum diseases caused by inflammation of the tissues around the teeth. Periodontitis, when untreated, leads to aggravated gum disease and tooth loss. Periodontitis bacteria can also spread to other parts of the body, causing diabetes, liver and lung problems, heart and kidney failure. It also reduces sperm count and sperm health.
This is not to say that it does not affect women. Studies have established a link between infertility, stillbirth, and low birth weight. When periodontitis bacteria enter the bloodstream, they become very harmful and negatively affect a woman’s ability to conceive. If pregnant, it can cause stillbirth or low weight in the baby, leading to premature delivery. Although periodontal diseases can be treated during pregnancy, there is still a significant chance of affecting the baby.
Pregnant women are also likely to lose their teeth during pregnancy because the estrogen released by the mother’s body to improve the growth of the baby inside leaves the ligaments that anchor the teeth weak.
Conclusion
Good dental hygiene and frequent visits to the doctor can help prevent dental caries and periodontal diseases, notwithstanding gender. It will also prevent other aggravated forms of oral health diseases and the effects they have on different parts of the body.
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