—
Many men consider themselves superman or Teflon in terms of having a magical immunity to any form of health issue or disease.
Well, unfortunately, this simply isn’t the case when it comes to oral health. Men are equally as likely to suffer from oral health issues as anyone else who has teeth—and the majority of issues are preventable.
Having good oral health is important to your overall health, with many studies highlighting how poor oral health can be the catalyst for the entry of harmful bacteria into the body.
This brief article brings insights from Dr. Steven Shapiro to highlight some tips for men to follow to reduce the risks of poor oral health and potential mouth disease. This can help give your overall health a boost and your Superman-complex a reality check.
Reduce Your Consumption of Alcohol
We are always told the important lesson of “everything in moderation” and this very much applies when considering alcohol intake in relation to oral health.
Do not read this to mean you can never drink, but rather follow the simple message is that excessive alcohol can be harmful to your oral health.
For example, common alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine or cider have high levels of acidity. Excessive levels of acidity in your mouth can increase the chances of dental erosion which slowly breaks down the top tooth layer. Removing this layer exposes the more sensitive tooth materials—causing severe pain.
Mouth cancer is also much more likely to form in individuals with higher than average alcohol consumption levels.
Quite simply, when it comes to alcohol, be responsible—as it can drastically affect your overall health.
PLEASE—Do Not Use Your Mouth to Open Bottles
Speaking of drinking—we’ve all witnessed that guy who can show off their ability to open a beer bottle with their mouth. Well, as cool as it may seem, forcibly opening any item with your mouth can potentially serious consequences for your oral health.
Although it may seem innocuous, opening a bottle top with your mouth risks getting a cracked tooth and/or having your tooth enamel removed by the metal or plastic lids.
Contracting either of these issues can be extremely harmful to your oral health and if left to deteriorate, can lead to more serious mouth diseases. The purpose of our teeth is to bite into food so that it can be digested. They are not there to open your beer bottle for a good laugh.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Regular dental visits are crucial for assessing the state of your oral health and tending to your teeth to help boost their health status. Dental visits can identify and intervene in smaller dental or gum issues to prevent them from becoming larger issues.
Dentists also provide great advice on how to improve your oral health, providing some great ideas and resources.
Although it may seem a nuisance having to visit a dentist, it is encouraged that all members of the public visit at least once per year to ensure they in a good state of oral health.
Sugar-free Chewing Gum
You may be unaware that chewing gum that is sugar-free can be good for your oral health. Well, since sugar-free gum uses natural sweeteners, there is no chance of tooth decay and studies show that chewing sugar-free gum can reduce the levels of acidity in your mouth.
Chewing sugar-free gum enables the mouth to produce more saliva thereby reducing the chances of an acid attack which can be particularly prevalent after eating.
Checking for Oral Cancer
Common signs of oral cancer can include:
- Ulcers that don’t heal within three weeks
- Red or white patches on the tongue
- Mouth lumps or swelling
- Hoarseness
To catch mouth cancer early, you must visit a dentist as early as you can if one of the above symptoms reveals itself. Early detection is also key.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this brief article has given some insight into why men, but also all people, should look after their oral health.
Following some of the practical tips outlined can reduce your chances of contracting major health issues derived from poor oral health.
—
This content is sponsored by Habib Khan.
Photo: Shutterstock