What every man should know about his oral health

Posted on October 2, 2025 in Healthy You

Men face some unique challenges when it comes to their oral health. From lifestyle choices to biological factors, men are more likely than women to experience problems like gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer.

But there’s good news: Many of these issues are preventable with the right habits and regular care.

Let’s take a look at why men face more oral health issues than women.

Why men have a higher risk of dental health problems

• Skipping oral hygiene basics: Studies show that men are less likely to brush and floss regularly.¹ When daily dental hygiene slips, plaque and bacteria build up, leading to cavities and gum disease.
• Avoiding regular preventive dental appointments: Men often wait until something hurts before seeing a dentist instead of seeing the dentist every 6 months for preventive care.¹ Skipping twice yearly checkups makes it harder for your dentist to catch problems early and often leads to more expensive treatments.
• Drinking and smoking: Men tend to have higher rates of smoking^1,2 and over-consumption of alcohol.¹ Both of these habits are linked to a higher risk of oral cancer, gum disease and cavities.
• Spending more time in the sun: Men are more likely to spend time outdoors,¹ which increases their exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Sun exposure raises your oral cancer risk.
• Declining testosterone: As testosterone levels decline with age, some men may experience gum recession and even tooth loss. More research is needed to explore this link, but you can read more about the possible connection here.
• Neglecting sports protection: Men are more likely to participate in high-contact sports and less likely to wear protective gear like mouthguards.¹ This puts them at greater risk of dental injuries, including broken or knocked-out teeth.

Read more about why men are more likely to develop oral health problems here.

How men can take control of their oral health

When it comes to having good oral health, so much comes down to your daily behaviors. Adopting the healthy habits below will help reduce your risk of oral health issues and boost your overall health as well:

• Brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and floss once daily.
• See your dentist every 6 months for a deep cleaning and preventive checkup. If you’re experiencing low testosterone, tell your dentist.
• Limit alcohol and quit using tobacco products.
• Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports.

Although men are at greater risk for certain oral health issues, most of those risks can be reduced or even eliminated with consistent at-home dental hygiene and smart choices. These habits are simple but when done daily, they are a powerful defense against tooth and mouth diseases.

Has it been awhile since you’ve seen a dentist? It’s never too late to start a journey toward excellent oral health. You can easily find a dentist in your neighborhood with Delta Dental of Iowa’s Find a Provider tool. Enter some basic information, and you’ll have a list of nearby, in-network dentists to choose from.

REFERENCES:

National Library of Medicine

National Institute on Drug Abuse