Men and women have some obvious differences, but did you know your dental needs can also be affected by your sex?

There are certain issues that men and women need to watch out for, and your dentist can help you with this during your check-ups.

Women: hormonal factors

Women experience hormonal changes throughout life, and these fluctuations can have a big impact on the health of their teeth and gums, especially during pregnancy. According to Dr Adam Alford, a dentist at Bupa Dental Brisbane, the most common dental issues that can arise during pregnancy are:

• Morning sickness, which can coat teeth in stomach acids that damage tooth enamel
• Sore and swollen gums – if an underlying gum disease exists, pregnancy can worsen it 
• Gum ulcers 
• Gum growths called pyogenic granuloma
• Wobbly teeth
• Decreased saliva flow, that can lead to a dry mouth 
• Cravings and frequent snacking to reduce nausea, which means regular acid attacks on teeth, which is especially problematic if you’re snacking on high-sugar foods.

It sounds a lot, but the good news is that all of these are preventable if you work with your dentist during pregnancy. 

“The ideal time to have a dental check-up is when you are planning the pregnancy – though of course, not all pregnancies are planned,” says Dr Alford. “Late in the first trimester is the next best time to do this. Having check-ups at these times enables the dentist to plan appropriately if further treatment is necessary and also educate pregnant women on the most appropriate preventative measures.” 

Your dentist might give you a thorough scale and clean, says Dr Alford, and give advice on how to care for your teeth during pregnancy. This might include using a fluoride mouthwash (containing no alcohol) every night before bed or after a pregnancy-related vomiting event.

Men: fewer dental visits

According to research, men are more likely to ignore their oral health and tend to experience higher rates of periodontal disease and dental trauma. Men also visit dentists less often than women, and when they do go it’s more likely to be for an acute problem and less likely for disease prevention.

The study also found that women have greater understanding of oral health and practise better oral health habits than men. So if you’re a man, make sure you’re fully versed on how to take care of your teeth and gums (check out these tips), and keep on top of your regular check-ups – you can book an appointment.

Men: disease risk

Men are more than twice as likely to develop oral cancer, which includes cancers of the mouth, tongue, lips and tonsils, than women. Although these cancers have been on the rise in both men and women over the past decade, the lifetime risk of developing oral cancer in Australia is around one in 90 for men and one in 200 for women.

Most oral cancer cases are linked to preventable causes such as smoking, alcohol and contracting human papillomavirus (HPV). Researchers believe men may be more likely to develop this type of cancer as they tend to indulge in smoking and drinking more heavily than women (as a general rule).

The final say

While there are some major differences in our oral health risk factors, both men and women have the same need to practise good oral healthcare, which means:

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste
• Flossing between your teeth once a day
• Following a healthy, balanced diet
• Replacing your toothbrush every three months (or toothbrush head, if it’s an electric brush)
• Seeing your dentist for your regular check-up.

Talk to a dentist near you

If you have any further questions or would like to book an appointment, contact your nearest Bupa Dental clinic.