Why It’s Important For Men to Visit a San Francisco Dentist

In our San Francisco dentist office, we can confirm that the stereotype is true – men are less likely to visit the dentist than women.  This can be due to several factors and according to a poll conducted by the American Academy of General Dentistry; the number one reason is feeling as though they simply don't need to.  It's not complicated – a lot of men don't see the importance of having regular teeth cleanings.  This, however, is far from the truth.

One of the main factors accomplished when visiting the dentist is that we can remove plaque and tartar in order to prevent gum disease.  This is a condition that impacts the majority of adults at some point in their lifetime.  While many people have minimal symptoms like swelling and irritation that can be cured with a teeth cleaning, others develop worst conditions such as receding gums.  When left untreated, bone loss can occur as can eventual tooth loss.  This is on top of discomfort, irritation, and cavities.  Men, finding themselves too busy to have their teeth cleaned, may end up needing to take time off of work for a more serious procedure.  Preventative care visits take less time, are comfortable, and can prevent serious complications down the road.

Another important fact to mention is that gum disease has been linked to heart disease.  Studies have found that as much as seventy percent of those treated for a heart condition, also have gum disease.  There is no conclusive evidence as to which condition causes the other, however, we do know that the plaque found in teeth is the same plaque found in the heart.  Since digestion starts in the mouth, and everything you swallow goes into your digestive system and throughout the body, it stands to reason that oral plaque and infection could be a trigger for other issues like a heart condition.  Given, that 1.5 million Americans suffer heart attacks every year, this is not something to be ignored, but rather to be dealt with in our San Francisco dentist office.

There is another group of men, thirty percent, that don't visit the dentist due to fear or embarrassment.  Dental anxiety is a condition that plagues many people, often due to a poor childhood experience.  Those who can handle tough situations may find themselves uncomfortable with the idea of a dental procedure.  Fortunately, dentistry has improved to the point that procedures are comfortable, and sedation dentistry helps our patients to relax, regardless of the type of procedure being performed.  There is no longer a need to avoid our San Francisco dentist office, given the tools we have at our disposal to ensure complete comfort.

Simultaneously, there are additional, non-health benefits for men to see the dentist.  Bright, white, and healthy looking teeth can improve social interactions and performance at work.  This has been backed up by study after study demonstrating the importance of an attractive smile.  Match.com, for example, polled 5,000 men and women who said that a beautiful smile was the most attractive quality a person could have.  With that in mind, if you haven't been to our office lately, schedule an appointment.