When it comes to oral health, it’s normal for you to not expect men to be on top of brushing or flossing their teeth. But sometimes, in order to emphasize their manliness, they go beyond simple poor dental hygiene and do not visit their dentist unless the problem escalates to a level wherein the signs and symptoms become too much to bear. Because of how men generally take their oral health for granted, they have a higher risk for developing dental conditions, and gum infections are at the top of that list. This means that most men, by the time they reach the age of 72, would have lost 5.4 of their teeth on average and even up to 12 if they make use of tobacco.

What happens when you have gum infections?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, leads to the development of irritated gums. The irritated gums would then lead to the destruction of these tissues in the overall and it’s very much possible that teeth would slowly loosen and fall off. This dental condition develops over a certain period of time and can be induced because of the accumulation of plaque and the subsequent formation of tartar on the gumline. Tartar is toxic to gums. However, smoking can also irritate gums because of tobacco. Smoking or chewing tobacco can do the same for your gums as smoking does for your lungs.

How do you know that you have a gum infection?

When it comes to dental conditions, gum infections are the easiest to self-diagnose. Simply by smiling in front of a mirror, you’ll be able to notice that your gums would have a reddish hue to them and not the healthy pink appearance which typically describes non-irritated gums. Moreover, upon the slightest agitation of your gums, such as when you floss or brush your teeth, you will begin to notice streaks of blood because irritated gums are also very sensitive gums that are prone to bleeding. If you take a longer time to respond to the condition, you are only courting trouble since gum infections can cause the loss of teeth.

What can you do about gum infections?

Good dental hygiene is always a cornerstone of good gum health. But on top of that, you also need to visit your dentist at least twice a year for professional dental cleaning procedures, and for men, that means actually scheduling dental appointments.

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