Like with medical care, men tend to postpone seeing a dentist until they absolutely must go. They are more cavalier about their oral hygiene than their female counterparts. This indifference to their teeth and gums may be taking a greater toll on their health than they realize.

Men often participate in sports that can result in trauma to the teeth. Hockey, football, and baseball all come with a risk factor for broken or displaced teeth—but these are the times when a guy will willingly head for the nearest dentist. He is less likely to do so for a bi-annual check-up and cleaning; yet regular visits to the dentist may unearth advance warnings about oral cancers, or gum diseases that can be cured with just a few changes to a night time routine.

The average man will lose at least 5 teeth by the time he reaches 72 years old and if he smokes, that number more than doubles.

If you don’t want to be one of those old guys gumming your food at the home, take these suggestions to heart:

• Brush daily
• Use a soft bristle toothbrush
• See your dentist twice a year (or more frequently if necessary)
• Replace your toothbrush quarterly
• Learn to brush properly—a quick online search will provide a number of instructional videos on the subject
• Floss daily

Be one of those guys with a sparkling smile and fresh breath. Take care of your teeth, and they’ll take care of you.

Learn more about men’s oral health care here.