By Mitch Rice
A 2021 UK Gov oral health survey found that 20% of men only went to the dentist when they had trouble, and 6% never went to one in their life. The 2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey in the United States showed that men are about one-third less likely than women to seek preventive care services, and almost 60% of men avoid care even when they might have a serious illness. Compared to women, men are much worse at preventive care.
Women, on the other hand, are significantly more aware of dental health concerns, more inclined to visit their dentist regularly, and practice good oral hygiene habits.
To get an idea of the attendance of male and female patients attending private practices in 2025 in the UK, we got in touch with Zental, an award-winning dental clinic in London. The results were similar here, too, with females ahead in every age group. In the ages between 20-34, they were seen to be almost double than men.
A graph depicting the numbers of male and female patients that attended Zental dental clinic this year/source: Zental
The question is, why do men shy away from seeing a dentist? Do we assume that it’s just ‘a man thing’, or is there something more to it?
‘Some men shy away from seeing a dentist because they fear receiving bad news. And as dental health issues are very rarely discussed among men, they don’t see it as something very important,’ says Dr. Ihsan Al-Hadad, a doctor, oral surgeon and clinical director of Zental. ‘When a patient waits until their symptoms are severe before making an appointment, it propagates the stigma of being afraid of the dentist’s office. This only makes matters worse for their oral health.’
But are fear, anxiety, and lack of knowledge the only silent barriers holding men back from seeking dental care?
Buckle in, you’re about to deep dive into the complex web of masculine reticence about oral health.
The Standard of a Strong-and-Silent Masculinity
More than half of the men in the UK believe that society expects them to ‘man up’ when faced with challenges, according to a study by Future Men. This can be attributed to the damaging gender stereotypes that, unfortunately, are still prevalent in our society and continue to shape the identities of way too many men.
The novelist Anthony Trollope put it best: “Men but seldom tell the truth of what is in them, even to their dearest friends; they are ashamed of having feelings, or rather of showing that they are troubled by any intensity of feeling.” Generations of boys have been brought up not to cry or rant: to keep calm, carry on and not indulge in messy emotions.
A study by Diana Sanchez, a professor of psychology, finds that men with more traditional beliefs about masculinity are less likely to get preventive care or seek medical treatment for injuries and infections – only because they view this resistance as bravery and self-sufficiency.
This conventional model of ‘masculinity’ can keep some men from seeking help when they need it, including help with their oral issues. It keeps them from being expressive about the effects of disease they may be enduring and is the reason they only see a dentist when they can’t bear the pain anymore.
‘As men get older, this resistance to get routine dental care can have very serious consequences,’ Dr. Ihsaan said. ‘Men die younger than women, according to data from Statista, and some of the leading causes of death like diabetes and heart disease are conditions that are linked to dental health.’
While avoiding the dentist can feel like a ‘silent strength,’ it can come at a serious cost to men’s dental health. Read on for some hard hitting facts we can’t ignore.
Periodontal disease is more common in men.
Gum disease is more common in men compared to women. And so are all the predisposing factors for it–oral hygiene habits, smoking, drinking, and avoiding dental care.
If that information just caught you by surprise, we’ve got the numbers right here.
A study by the American Dental Association showed that men are 40% less likely to brush their teeth after every meal compared to women. Of course, they’re also less likely to floss. Without good oral hygiene, you’re far more likely to get cavities and gum disease.
The results of a 2023 survey about smoking habits in the UK by the Office for National Statistics revealed that 3.4 million men (13.7% of the total population) smoke compared to 2.6 million women (10.1%). If you smoke, you have twice the risk for gum disease compared to a nonsmoker. It increases the risk by a whopping 85%, according to research.
Research also shows that men drink more heavily than women – and are almost twice as likely to binge drink. While booze can definitely get in full swing for a fun nights out, it doesn’t come without oral side effects. The oral manifestations of alcohol include tooth decay, gum disease, and an increased risk of oral cancer.
Men are more prone to tooth loss.
Advanced gum disease, if left untreated, leads to tooth loss. And so does advanced tooth decay.
On average, men typically lose five teeth by the time they’re 72.
There is an increased ratio of oral cancer in men.
According to Cancer Research UK, men are twice as likely to get oral cancer compared to women.
In addition to habits like smoking and heavier use of alcohol, men are also exposed to the sun longer – which all add up to increase this risk.
Sticking Your Head in the Sand Can Have Wider Health Consequences.
Neglecting to care for your teeth can not only ruin your oral health but also put you at risk for problems the extent of which ranges far beyond your mouth, including:
Research finds gum disease and cardiovascular disease, both chronic inflammatory conditions, to be strongly connected. Having gum disease can exponentially increase your risk of heart disease.
As men are already more likely to develop heart issues than their female counterparts, taking care to prevent gum disease becomes all the more important.
Having untreated gum disease can increase your blood sugar levels and make it harder to control diabetes.
How?
Gum disease causes your gums to become inflamed. Inflammation in the body can lead to higher blood sugar levels, which can increase your risk of diabetes or worsen it if you’re already a diabetic.
Researchers have linked gum disease with an increased risk of developing memory problems.
In a study published in Neurology, scientists looked at people with gum disease who went on to develop dementia and compared them against those with no issues with their teeth.
They looked at 4,559 volunteers aged between 45 and 64 years. The volunteers did not have dementia and underwent a full dental examination.
Over three-quarters of the study, these volunteers showed signs of dental problems ranging from mild gum disease to no teeth at all.
The researchers followed the study volunteers over the course of two decades. They found that 19% of the study volunteers developed dementia.
Out of these individuals, 23% of those without teeth (due to gum disease) developed dementia. In contrast, only 14% of those who had healthy gums and all their teeth at the beginning of the study developed the condition.
While this link does not mean that gum disease is a cause of dementia, it can certainly become a risk factor for it.
Our advice?
Maintaining good dental health is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout your life.
A 2025 clinical trial conducted in Korea found that men with chronic gum disease (periodontitis) had a higher incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (a non-cancerous condition that causes the prostate to grow larger in size and causes urinary problems).
An enzyme, PSA, normally produced by the prostate in minute amounts, is elevated when the gland is inflamed, infected, or affected by cancer. Research has shown that men with both gum and prostate inflammation have higher levels of this enzyme than men with only one condition. This finding suggests a strong association between gum disease and prostate health.
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Sexual health dysfunction or even impotence
Research has found that men with gum disease are at an increased risk of developing impotence, especially those younger than 30 or older than 70.
Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of severe gum disease, can also damage blood vessels–possibly leading to impotence.
Studies find that men with periodontal disease may be 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancers than women.
Avoiding your problems only makes them worse. ‘It also increases patients’ anxiety and fear, making them more likely to avoid the dentist even more,’ says Dr. Ihsaan.
Don’t Let Anything Keep You From Getting the Dental Care You Deserve
If you are a dentist-resistant man, here are a few ideas that may help you inch closer to making that long-overdue appointment.
- Find a dentist you trust.
Even if you’re willing to visit a dentist, finding one that you trust can be a challenge sometimes. You can ask friends and family for recommendations or try finding reviews online for different dentists and practices. You’ll be amazed by how helpful online reviews can be!
- If you’re nervous, consider setting an appointment for later in the day.
When you’ve found a dentist you’re comfortable with seeing, it’s time to get a date on the calendar. Consider avoiding the first appointment of the day to avoid getting anxiety or jitters and the impulse to cancel at the last minute.
Many dental practices offer sedation to help you relax during your dental procedure. If you’re very anxious about getting dental treatment, ask your dentist about sedation.
- Bring a loved one along to your appointment.
Bring a loved one along for support. It can be a partner, a friend, or even a kid – anyone you can safely rely on to calm your nerves.
- Persuade your loved one to make that trip to the dentist.
If you have a reluctant man in your life, persuade them to go see a dentist at least every six months or so, without guilt-tripping or shaming them.
‘Tell your partner or parent how much you love them and care for them, and how much you want them to stay healthy,’ said Dr. Ihsaan. ‘I doubt people will fight back too hard when they hear you say something like that. It’s amazing to see the positive changes people can make when persuaded with love and affection.’
- It gets easier with time.
As with everything you find tough or fear in life, it always gets easier the more you do it.
As for routine appointments, Dr. Ihsaan uses the analogy of a car for his patients: ‘If they think getting regular maintenance for their car is necessary to keep it running well, they should be willing to do regular maintenance for their teeth, too. After all, what good is life if you don’t have teeth to enjoy your meals?’
The recommended annual oral check-up frequency is twice a year for most people, but more often if your dentist recommends it.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
