Your Dentist in Marysville Recognizes National Men’s Health Week

This blog post is for you, guys! June is Men’s Health Month, and the week before Father’s Day is Men’s Health Week. So now seems like a good time to talk to you about your health. Your oral health, that is. The fact of the matter is many men do not see a dentist in Marysville regularly. They wait until they have a problem such as a toothache, a broken tooth or even missing teeth. However, these and many other dental problems could be avoidable with dental checkups every six months and stringent oral hygiene care at home.

The Oral-Systemic Connection

You probably know that what you put in your mouth influences the condition of your overall health. Obviously, there is a difference among an apple and peanut butter, carrots and hummus, potato chips and dip or a cigarette and a beer. But did you know that the condition of your mouth could have a significant bearing on your overall health?

Dentists and doctors now know about the oral-systemic connection.

Specifically, the link is between the bacteria that cause gum disease and a number of diseases and illnesses. These oral bacteria are connected to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pneumonia and depression.

Men with gum disease in Marysville are at greater risk for these and other medical conditions. Gum disease often starts with red and swollen gum tissue that may bleed when you brush or floss. Unfortunately, this bleeding means that the bacteria that infected your gums could now travel through your bloodstream and lead to general health problems.

Furthermore, the latest research has found that people with gum disease are at greater risk for oral cancer too. So what can you do to prevent this? Practicing better oral hygiene at home is a good start.

At-Home Oral Hygiene

Along with not seeing a dentist often enough, men are more likely to skip brushing and flossing occasionally than women. However, ignoring your oral hygiene for even one day gives the bacteria in your mouth plenty of time to multiply. That is when tooth decay and gum disease can begin.

Here are some tips on how to improve your oral hygiene care.

• Always use a soft toothbrush. Hard bristles are much more likely to scratch the enamel surface of your teeth.
• Choose toothpaste with fluoride and do not use too much. Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps your teeth avoid decay. You really only need a pea-sized amount to reap the maximum benefits. Also, a good brushing session should last for at least two minutes.
• Angle the brush at 45 degrees against your teeth and gums. Move around your mouth methodically so you know you have brushed all of your teeth.
• Do not forget to floss. Even the best brushing cannot remove the plaque and food particles that get trapped between teeth. Press the floss against each tooth. Be sure to floss in between all of your teeth.

If you have not seen a dentist in Marysville for some time, make an appointment now during Men’s Health Month. Our team is always happy to help men, women and even whole families.

Get to Know Us

At Allen Creek Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing all of the services our patients need to have a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile. Our services include preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Sleep apnea therapy, periodontal therapy and emergency dentistry are also available. Call our office today to schedule a visit.