The short answer to this question is, yes! In fact, the Academy of General Dentistry has found that men are much more likely than women to neglect visiting the dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and exam. Most American men admit that they only visit the dentist when they have a toothache. Here at Severance Dental, we want to encourage our male patients to keep these regular appointments so that we can help them avoid dental problems altogether!

Importance of Preventative Care

Even if you have a stellar at-home oral hygiene routine in place, there are still things that you might be missing. For example, if plaque is allowed to build up in a hard-to-reach area, it may develop into tartar, which can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Additionally, a checkup can allow Dr. Josh Kelly to spot any potential problems before they have a chance to cause damage.

It’s been found that men are at an increased risk for:

• Oral Cancer – Men are two times more likely to develop some form of oral cancer than women. If oral cancer is caught early enough, the prognosis can be quite good. But if you’ve been avoiding the dentist, you may be allowing the cancer to worsen and spread to other areas of the body.
• Gum Disease – It’s been found by the American Dental Association as well as the Academy of General Dentistry that men are more likely to develop gum disease at some point in their lives than women. If gum disease goes untreated for too long, it can lead to health problems such as heart disease, respiratory issues, and prostate problems.
• Advanced Dental Treatments – Because men are more likely to wait until they’re experiencing pain to visit the dentist, they’re also more likely to need more extensive dental work. This includes root canal therapy, and even the extraction of the tooth.

Here at Severance Dental, it’s important to us that all of our patients have healthy smiles that they’re proud to show off. If you’re experiencing a dental problem or if you just need to schedule a regular dental cleaning and exam, please contact our Severance, Colorado family dental office today.