Ease Your Mind – How Preventative Care Improves Your Health
June. A time to grill, swim and spend time with friends and family. Summer has just begun and weekends are about to look a lot more exciting. Although June is the perfect time for busting out the swim trunks, it is also a month set aside for men to take time to focus on their health.
“Nah, I’m Good!”
The first thought in most men might be to dismiss Men’s Health Month and think all is well. “I’ve never had any issues before,” you might be saying. Remember, the goal of Men’s Health Month is to avoid preventable problems and catch diseases, if any, early enough to be able to treat them.
One of the easiest diseases to prevent starts with taking care of your mouth. With proper attention and care, periodontitis (gum disease) can be preventable. According to the CDC, one study estimated that 47.2 percent – 64.7 million American adults – have mild, moderate or severe periodontitis. Men have a higher percentage rate of gum disease than women (56.4 percent vs. 38.4). This could be because men are less likely to go to the dentist than women or because men show signs of periodontal problems worse than women (such as tartar, dental plaque and bleeding). Either way, it is a problem that can be avoided with regular care of your teeth and gums.
Did You Know?
Periodontitis affects more than just your mouth. This preventable disease can impact a man’s health in a variety of different ways.
Prostate Health
Studies have made a connection between gum inflammation and prostate health. A study published in the Dentistry journal made an interesting find as they examined what happened to the prostate of 27 men who were being treated only for gum disease. Of the 27 men, 21 of them had improved symptoms of prostatitis, even though no other treatments were being done.
Heart Health
Many people don’t realize that gum disease may be linked to heart disease. Those with gum disease are twice as likely to have a coronary artery disease. There are two oral pathogens (disease-causing agents) associated with gum disease: Tannerella Forsynthesis and Preventella Intermedia. These two pathogens may be associated with an increased risk of heart attack. Bacteria, regardless of kind, has an impact on the health of your heart. This is another important reason to get regular dental cleanings to prevent gum disease. Those with existing heart conditions need to be even more purposeful to make dental appointments on a more frequent basis to ensure no bacteria is forming in the mouth.
Would you have guessed that gum disease is linked to male health problems such as erectile dysfunction (ED)? According to a study done by The Journal of Sexual Medicine, men aged 30 to 40 with erectile dysfunction are three times more likely to have gum disease than those without ED.
Brain Health
June is not only Men’s Health Month but also Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. For years studies have tied gum disease to Alzheimer’s, but it wasn’t until a new study in Science Advances that indicated that there is evidence that suggests gum disease may cause Alzheimer’s, rather than be a side effect of it.
Physical Health
According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), men with a history of gum disease are 14 percent more likely to develop cancer than men with healthy gums, research says. Even further, men with periodontal disease may be 49 percent more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54 percent more likely to develop pancreatic cancer and 30 percent more likely to develop blood cancer.
What Can I Do?
Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent gum disease, and thereby preventing other diseases as well. Some easy ways to prevent gum disease include:
- Brushing your teeth regularly
- Quit smoking
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
- Floss daily
- Make regular dental appointments
Call Us Today
Men, are you concerned about gum disease and the effects it may have on your health? Are you ready to take the first step in preventative care? Let us help you put your mind at ease. Call us today at (775) 358-1555 for a consultation with a dentist at Caffaratti Dental Group.