Is there a man in your life? Husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, friends—we all know at least one, which means that we probably know someone who has neglected his health in some way or another. Men are notorious for not paying close attention to their health. Well, June is Men’s Health Month, and June 12 to 18 is Men’s Health Week. Aside from wearing blue, what can you do to help your men stay healthy? Send them to Reynoldsburg dentist Dr. Walt Mick! In honor of Men’s Health Month, read on to learn about oral health concerns and how your dentist can help to ensure overall health.
Look, Honey, My Gums are Bleeding
Inflamed and swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss are one of the leading indicators of gum disease, a bacterial infection that is initially caused by plaque. Gingivitis is the first stage and is often treatable with a professional dental cleaning and more stringent oral hygiene at home. Left untreated, however, gingivitis can advance to become periodontitis, which may lead to receding gums, alveolar bone deterioration and ultimately tooth loss.
As if those symptoms aren’t bad enough, gum disease has been linked to diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, men are more likely than women to have periodontal disease, and that is true in all age groups. Although gum disease is not curable, it can be treated and prevented from advancing with proper brushing and flossing, dental checkups with the dentist in Reynoldsburg and a healthy diet.
Have an Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer is another disease that is significantly more prevalent among men than women. In fact, men are diagnosed twice as often; the disease poses the greatest risk to men that are more than 50 years old. Who better to check for the signs and symptoms of oral cancer than your “dentist near me,” Dr. Mick?
During your biannual dental checkup—and let’s just mention that 33 percent of men haven’t seen the dentist in more than a year—Dr. Mick will visually examine your entire oral cavity and throat and also palpate your jaw, neck and shoulders. He is looking for:
- A sore, bleeding or not, that hasn’t healed in a few weeks
- A red or white patch of tissue
- A lump in any soft tissue including inside your cheeks or on your tongue
- A spot that feels numb
- A persistent sore throat or hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Ear pain but no sign of infection
An oral cancer screening usually takes no more than a minute. But the benefits could literally save your life because with early detection, treatment can lead to a cure.
Stop Snoring!
If you know a man who snores loudly, then neither one of you may be getting the sleep you need. Dr. Mick can stop snoring with an oral appliance. Called a snoreguard, this device holds the lower jaw forward in order to keep the airway open for unrestricted breathing.
Contact Our Office Today
Don’t let Men’s Health Month come and go without a visit to Mick Family Dental Care. Call today to schedule an appointment.