Male grooming is big business. In fact, according to an article on www.huffingtonpost.co.uk at the beginning of the year, ‘2015 is the year male grooming takes centre stage’. No longer the preserve of women, grooming products are increasingly becoming a must-have for men, too, with many ranges now capturing the imagination – and the ££££s in the pocket of many a male shopper.
Blokes can now look and smell good without fear of ridicule by a pub culture adverse to anyone who may spend a little more time on their appearance than they see fit.
Eyebrow threading, nose and ear hair waxing, facials, manicures and hot towel shaves are as much part of the male grooming process as putting on aftershave – yes, the UK male population really has moved since the days of Keegan and Cooper and their ‘splash it all over’ dictum.
Our fascination with the world of the ‘celebrity’ has done a lot to shift this attitude of the Alpha male – in only five years or so the turnaround has been rapid. So much so, in fact, that according to a recent survey conducted by luxury male brand, Avaj, men check out their reflection a whopping 23 times a day – this compared to women who look just 16 times a day.
Additionally, some 82% of the men polled also said that maintaining a good personal appearance was a key prerogative.
An explosion in the number of men sporting beards has added to this trend, boosting the male grooming industry, reportedly to the tune of £72 million!
But, how many men factor in teeth cleaning to this multi-million pound regime? Men may be upping the ante with their grooming, but they trail behind with their mouth health.
Dentally speaking, girls are all smiles when it comes to regular check ups and hygiene appointments with their dental hygienist or therapist. A survey by simplyhealth.co.uk reveals stark contrasts between men and women when it comes to their dental health.
The statistics showed that:
- 32% of men surveyed haven’t visited the dentist in the last year (compared to 25% of women). This rises to 37% of men aged between 18 and 24
- 41% said they have gone to bed after a night out without brushing their teeth (compared to 35% of women). Again, men aged between 18 to 24 are worse for this, with 49% admitting they have done so
- 75% of men said they aren’t aware of any of the symptoms of mouth cancer, (compared to 66% of women).
Neglecting teeth now will only lead to the need for complex (and expensive) treatment later on.
So, gentlemen, here are my ‘grooming’ tips for a healthy smile…
- Ditch those sports drinks that claim to ‘refuel’ you – they are full of sugar and will rot your teeth. Opt for some water instead
- Chew sugar free gum after meals to stimulate saliva that neutralises help protect teeth plaque acids
- Leave 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after a meal as this can damage your teeth enamel
- Don’t just brush the tooth surfaces you can see – make sure you clean between your teeth using interdental brushes or floss
- If your gums bleed, be sure to book an appointment with your dentist, hygienist or dental therapist
- Quit smoking – mouth cancer is a huge risk
- Cut down on the alcohol – it’s not only acidic and highly erosive, it’s also a massive risk factor if you drink and smoke!
- Buy a tongue scraper – smelly bacteria linger in between those tiny bumps on the tongue’s surface and will lead to bad breath!
- Most men love their gadgets so invest in a few bits. Electric toothbrushes are scientifically proven to be more effective at removing plaque so upgrade for a better clean. Philips do a great gadget called a Sonciare AirFloss – sticking to a flossing routine can be a struggle and, for men, manoeuvring floss into tiny crevices a challenge. This interdental cleaner refreshes parts a toothbrush cannot reach!
- Brush twice a day for at least two minutes, using fluoride toothpaste and taking time to clean between those teeth, too!
- Visit the dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist regularly for an examination, cleaning, advice and maintenance tips
References
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ollie-locke/male-grooming-2015_b_6415778.html
https://www.simplyhealth.co.uk/shcore/sh/content/pdfs/surveys/report_dentalsurvey_2012.pdf