Love ‘em or hate ‘em, beards are one fashion statement that never seem to go away. In fact, more than half the men in the world have some type of facial hair. Does having a beard affect your oral health? The answer may surprise you!
Anatomy of a beard
A beard, as defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “the hair that grows on a man’s face, often excluding the mustache.” A beard can vary in length, from 5 o’clock shadow to over 17 feet long (although most beards are much shorter).
Check out some fun facts about beards:
- 33% of men in the United States have a beard
- Beards can make a man look up to 8 years older than his actual age
One of the biggest misconceptions about beards is that they are dirty. Beards that are not washed or cleaned regularly may contain bacteria and other germs, but not much more than clean-shaven skin.
One study found that clean-shaven individuals are up to three times more likely to have bacteria on their cheeks. The study states that “clean-shaven control subjects exhibited higher colonization rates with certain bacterial species. This finding may be explained by micro-trauma to the skin during shaving…which may support bacterial colonization and proliferation.” However, these findings may not be accurate in cases where beards are not well-kept and washed regularly.
Beards and oral health
Do beards affect oral health? The short answer is they can!
If a beard is not cleaned with soap regularly, it may cause an excess of germs and bacteria. These germs can travel from the beard to the mouth if not washed out. While these germs can make you sick, the good news is that they are not likely to cause oral health problems such as tooth decay or cavities. This is because the bacteria that is sometimes found in beards is not the same bacteria that is found in your mouth.
Although beards are not known to cause dental problems, they can make it harder to see changes on and around the jawline. New lumps on the jawline can indicate something serious, including oral health problems. An abscessed tooth or even oral cancer can cause swelling on the jawline.
All in all, a clean beard will likely not affect your oral health. However, it’s important to keep up with good hygiene and stay vigilant about checking for new lumps underneath the beard.