From Bupa
The importance of Men’s Dental Health

November is Men’s Health Awareness Month, which marks an opportunity to support the male workforce with their physical and mental health.
A good way to support Men’s Health is through their dental health. Research shows that men are more likely to neglect their dental health than women1, and exhibit different behaviours when it comes to caring for their teeth:
- Men are less likely to brush their teeth twice a day than their female counterparts.2
- Men typically visit a hygienist less often than women, preferring to visit a dentist for acute needs over preventative treatment.3
- Over half of young men in the UK believe they should ‘man up’ when facing challenges,4 due to harmful gender stereotypes. These beliefs can be a barrier to seeking help when it’s needed.
These behavioural factors can lead to higher rates of dental issues in men, such as:
- Higher incidence of gum disease in men than women.5
- Men are more prone to tooth loss. On average, they will lose 5 teeth by the time they are 72.6
- Cancer Research UK shows men are more than twice as likely to get mouth cancer,7 largely due to lifestyle factors such as smoking.
Neglecting proper oral care can have serious impacts on wider health, such as increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia. It can even impact men’s sexual function, as studies show that men with gum disease are at higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction.8
This is why it is important to encourage your male workforce to look after their oral health and to speak up as soon as they have any dental worries.
Read and share our resources below this Men’s Health Awareness Month:
For your business
Men’s health toolkit. Click here (PDF, 0.5MB).
Manager’s guide to supporting men’s health. Click here (PDF, 1MB).
Manager’s guide to opening up at work. Click here (PDF, 1MB).
For your employees:
Everyday tips for healthy teeth. Click here.
Dental anxiety guide. Click here (PDF, 0.2MB).
Men's Health support page. Click here.
Reminders for insured employees to access dental care:
- Use Finder to book a check-up at the nearest Bupa Dental Care practice, with guaranteed availability. Click here.
- For speedy answers on dental worries, they can call Bupa Oral HealthLine on 0808 304 9660.
1. American Journal of Men’s Health. 2021.
2, 3 and 5. Dentistry. 2021.
4. Future Men Survey. 2023.
6. College of Dentistry. 2017.
7. Cancer Research UK. 2017.
8. NewMouth. 2024.
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