“Boys don’t cry!”
“You throw like a girl!”
“Take it like a man!”
Despite silly sex stereotypes, we’re taking the men vs. women battle into the bathroom. And these aren’t stereotypes—they’re science! Who will take this tooth tug-of-war? See how each sex compares in our side-by-side showdown of the smiles:
Seeing the Dentist
- Ladies are twice as likely to go to their regular dental exams, according to the Journal of Periodontology. Women also tend to take the dentist’s advice regarding future treatment.
Brushing
- Before Bed: 35% of men regularly skip brushing at night, according to a study by the British Dental Health Foundation. Ladies lose this challenge, however. Nearly 60% of women admitted to frequently bypassing brushing before bedtime.
- Frequency: Compared to women, men are less likely to brush their teeth after every meal. The average man is also less likely to brush his teeth twice a day.
Dental Health Problems
- Men are more likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease than women. However, women’s changing hormones—like those experienced during pregnancy, periods and menopause—make women more prone to swollen gums, dry mouth and other oral health issues.
Regardless of your gender, we’re all for oral health equality! Men and women both need to brush up on their dental care. Here are few (easy) ways to bring your pearly whites up to par.
