Comparing oral health behaviours of men and women in the United States

• Published in: Journal of dentistry 2022-07, Vol.122, p.104157-104157, Article 104157
• Main Authors: Su, Sharon, Lipsky, Martin S., Licari, Frank W., Hung, Man
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Behaviours; Cancer screening; Demographics; Dental care; Dental caries; Dental implants; Dentistry; Dentists; Disparities; Females; Gender; Gender aspects; Gender differences; Gum disease; Health behavior; Health care access; Hispanic people; Hygiene; Low income groups; Males; Men; Mouth; Nutrition; Oral cancer; Oral diseases; Oral health; Oral hygiene; Population; Public health; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Regression analysis; Sex differences; Statistical analysis; Teeth; Variables; Women; Womens health
• ISSN: 0300-5712; 1879-176X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104157

This study used a national database to update and examine current differences in men's and women's oral health and oral health behaviours in the United States. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the 2017–2018 cycle were used to explore the relationship between males and females and their oral health. Multivariate analyses assessed for gender differences in oral health behaviors between genders after controlling for sample demographic characteristics. The final sample consisted of 4,741 participants. Males tended to have fewer dental visits, worse perception of their gum and tooth health, poorer flossing habits, and more root caries. Females were more proactive in visiting dentists and displayed a greater awareness of oral health. Females were less likely to report discussing oral cancer screening with their dentist even though they were screened more often. On examination, males were more often advised to seek urgent dental care than females. All these differences were statistically significant at p