3 Risks of Poor Oral Maintenance

We schedule tuneups for our cars, we make sure to take our clothes to the dry cleaner, and we make sure to have our meetings. We do so many important things in life to make sure things function correctly and don't have mishaps.

However, what about our teeth? Why do some people skip dental checkups that are supposed to maintain their smile? Men are almost 50% less likely to maintain regular dental checkups than women, which means they are more likely to experience dental risks.

There are three risks men and women take when they practice poor oral care--

1. Periodontal disease- Men are 26% less likely to floss and are more likely to miss cleaning appointments even though poor oral care is linked to life-threatening diseases. 
2. Oral cancer- Tobacco users risk oral cancer. Men are twice as likely to be affected than women, yet they often skip checkups that include essential oral cancer screenings. 
3. Dental injuries- More often socialized to take physical risks, men are more likely to have facial trauma. Wearing a mouthguard is essential during body-contact sports. 

It is important that everyone-- male or female-- practices good oral health and has regular checkups to protect their precious smile! 

Don't skip your checkups. If you are in Chicagoland and hate waiting forever for your appointment to start, then visit Rubino Dentistry-- we rarely keep patients waiting. 

The Risk of Oral Cancer for Men

The risk for oral cancer in men is increasing and has been on the rise for quite a while. The rates are not only increasing all over the world but especially in developed countries; the research for this trend is pointing to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

If you read the name Human Papilloma Virus and thought, "I've heard of that before but where?" or "Wait, isn't that disease for women?" Well, it does affect women a bit more but as we see, it has an impact on men too; the HPV is the sexually transmitted disease that is responsible for many cervical cancer cases. As for men, HPV infections increase male oral cancer by approximat
ely 50 percent and it is rising for women too. There is not vaccine for HPV for adults; however, health professionals recommend getting vaccines done for boys, in addition to girls.

Oral cancer take up to a decade to fully develop but early detection is possible and crucial. It often begins as a tiny, hard-to-detect white or red spot or sore that does not heal. Doctors state that the survival rate is about 80% for over 5 years when detected early.

Make sure to conduct self-exams between your dental visits to your dentist; if you are in Chicago, then contact Rubino Dentistry, a dentist in Chicago. At our dental practice in Chicagoland (Park Ridge), we conduct oral cancer exams at each visit. Keep your regular appointments.