Think Oral Health

Every June we take the time to honor the men in our lives, and even have Father’s Day and Men’s Health month to make it official.  We thought this was the perfect time to make sure those who do so much to take care of us, are reminded that we want them to be around for a long time. Which of course, means that they have to make great choices and establish healthy habits.

Dental health is an important component to overall health. Studies have shown that poor oral hygiene may be associated with strokes, heart attacks and perhaps even linked to pancreatic cancer. The basics of sound oral health isn’t complicated either. Brushing twice daily and flossing along with visiting your dentist twice a year, or as recommended. If these habits are begun early in life and maintained they can go a long way to prevent dental issues and provide a lifetime with a healthy mouth. Even if you do face issues, those caught early are always easier to deal with than advanced dental disease.

According to a recent study 39% of men never floss. Considering brushing only reaches 60% of the tooth’s surface this is indeed an alarming statistic. The CDC also reported that nearly 40% of adults over did not visit their dentist last year. The good news is that similar studies show that once one begins visits to the dentist they are likely to continue them. So take that first step today if you are among those who haven’t been to the dentist in a while or have a loved one who needs a reminder. For those of you who are already on the right path, give yourself a pat on the back.