Fun Dental Health Facts for Men: What in the world do tongue size, poop, beards, snacking, and dating have in common?

We have no idea. Just kidding. They are all related to oral health for guys and dads. June is Men’s Health Month, and June 21 is Father’s Day, so check out these 5 weird but incredibly useful dental health facts for you or the man in your life.

#1.  Men have larger, longer tongues

 

Maybe it’s just because guy’s mouths tend to be a bit larger, but we just wanted to leave that interesting fact here for you to do with what you will.  

You’re welcome.

Speaking of tongues:  Next time you’re near a mirror (and it’s socially acceptable), stick your tongue out and take a look.  Why?  First, because now we know you’re curious and want to see just how long your tongue is.  

Second, check to make sure it looks healthy.  In general, healthy tongues are pink, firm, and don’t have any colored coatings, unusual bumps, or discolored/sore or dry spots.  Some diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and infections have signs and symptoms that show up in the mouth.  If you see anything that looks or feels strange, take the time to see your dentist for a checkup.

#2.  Game of Thrones:  What Your Poop Says About Your Health

#2… See what we did there?  Oh yeah, we’re going to “go” there.  For many men, the daily poop is one of the more *ahem* productive parts of the day.  For most dads, the “throne” is perhaps the one last place you can go to find a little alone time.  

Your dental health directly affects the quality of your poop, and thus your overall health.  Next time you’re spending some quality time on the commode, go ahead, check it out.

Are you experiencing Deja-Poo?  If you’re seeing a repeat performance of yesterday’s meals, there’s a good chance you may not be chewing your food properly.  Missing teeth, having prosthodontics such as dentures or partials, crowding, or other issues with bite and alignment (which can be corrected by braces or other orthodontic treatment) can directly affect your ability to chew and digest your food.  Not being able to chew well can also affect your food choices, with many men avoiding foods high in fiber and other nutrients.  This can lead to serious digestive issues, like it did for our patient Joe, until he did something about it.  

Make sure your teeth are doing their proper job for you when it comes to the digestive process.  If you or someone you know is having issues with chewing or teeth alignment, go ahead and see your dentist for a checkup.

PS – If you like the “throne” pictured here, the design idea may be up for grabs. We found this little treasure on tumblr.

 

#3. Lookin’ for Love in all the wrong places

 

What do single folks look for in a male dating partner?  Is it rock-hard abs, a full, manly beard, or big feet?  The answer: None of the above.  Actually, men and women are both looking for the same thing – nice teeth and a great smile.  Healthy teeth are more important on dating apps like Match.com and Tinder, because a man who takes care of his smile is likely to take care of his whole body.  If you’ve got a gorgeous grill, make sure to show your smile in your profile pic, and expect more singles to swipe right when they see you!

 

#4. On Beards & Toothbrushes

What do beards and toothbrushes potentially have in common?  Unfortunately, it’s probably bacteria.   Luckily, science has prevailed, showing that for the most part the bacteria found in beards is NOT the same found on the average toilet.   It looks like it’s OK again for folks to snuggle up to their favorite bearded dude.  

However, the same can’t be said for your toothbrush.  Even the Mythbusters guys confirmed that unless you disinfect regularly, the average toothbrush has more particles of poo on it than you’d care to know.  This tells us a few things:  First, when your dentist recommends to change your brush out every 3 months, it’s a good idea to do so.  Second, storing your brush inside the medicine cabinet is a good idea. Third, never ever use an old toothbrush to groom your mustache or beard!  

 

#5. In like a Lion, Out like a… Donut?

Men seem to worry less about fad diets, but are more likely to skip meals during the day.  Perhaps that’s why there’s a trend showing that men tend to start the day with healthy food choices, but often end up snacking and giving in to the junk food cravings at night.  It probably doesn’t help that the people around us can influence what we eat.  

Pair this with the recent survey showing that half of guys may be brushing their teeth only once a day, and you’ve got a recipe for a dental disaster.  Allowing sugars and acids to sit on your teeth overnight by skipping the nightly hygiene routine is a surefire way to accelerate the decay process, and allow plaque biofilm to build and act like tiny jackhammers on tooth enamel.  

The best way to keep your smile healthy is to keep up with the home oral hygiene routine which includes brushing for two minutes, twice per day, flossing at least once per day, and seeing your dentist for a regular checkup and cleaning every 6 months.   It’s also a very good idea to make sure your teeth and bite are properly aligned to make sure your smile is as handsome as you are, and to keep your whole body healthy.  

Orthodontic consultations are always free of charge at 1st Family Dental, and will only take about 30 minutes out of your busy day.  Book a consultation appointment with one of our orthodontists by phone or online anytime.