Survey Shows Men, Women Differ in Oral Care

The American Dental Association (ADA) reported results of a national survey that revealed the smile outranks eyes, hair and body as the most attractive physical feature. However, the survey also revealed that men and women differ when it comes to the care of their teeth and gums. The survey of Americans ages 18 and older found 86% of females brush their teeth twice or more a day compared to only 66% of males.

Sadly, all Americans need to do a better job of flossing teeth. Just half of those surveyed (49%) say they floss daily. And, 1 out of 3 surveyed think that blood in the sink after brushing is normal and were unaware this is a sign of periodontal (gum) disease.

Oral health is an important part of overall health, for men just as much as for women. Regular dental check-ups are important, not only to treat gum disease and cavities, but because some diseases or medical conditions, such as oral cancer, have symptoms that can appear in the mouth.

If you haven’t seen a dentist in over a year (whether you’re male or female!), call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation and discuss treatment to restore your mouth to a healthy state.