Effective Oral Hygiene Can Help Prevent Erectile Dysfunction

October 10, 2020, Hisblue

How often do you brush your teeth? How about flossing? Well, less than 50 percent of men actually brush their teeth twice a day unless it becomes a problem for them. And as you age, you’re more likely to fall prey to diseases you wouldn’t have even thought of. This is due to the fact that as you age, your immune system begins to weaken. Dental care is something that is often ignored and this lack of attention increases the risk of developing a variety of systemic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, etc.
But how is that possible? Well, dental problems such as periodontitis that causes a chronic bacterial infection of the gums is a very common cause of tooth loss in adults. It causes inflammation in the gums and damages the structures that surround and support the teeth. This increases the risk of cardiovascular disease which leads to stroke and hardening of the arteries. And stroke and hardening of the arteries are often linked to erectile dysfunction.

Periodontitis and Erectile Dysfunction - A Study
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual disorder that makes the man unable to achieve or sustain an erection satisfactory enough for sexual intercourse. It can be caused due to both physical and psychological reasons.
Taking into account periodontitis as a risk factor for ED, it is a dental problem that causes chronic inflammation of the gums and progressively destroys the alveolar bone and the connective tissues that support the teeth in their place. Periodontitis is a worrisome condition which left untreated can lead to tooth loss.

So, how is it related to erectile dysfunction?
The periodontal bacteria that originates in the gums harms the vascular endothelial cells. Now, when this type of dysfunction occurs in the blood vessels of the penis, it disrupts the blood flow, which leads to erectile dysfunction.

A study was conducted by the University of Granada on 80 men receiving treatment at the Urology Service of the Clinico San Cecilio Hospital. These men underwent a periodontal examination and were tested for testosterone levels, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, blood glucose levels, and glycated hemoglobin.
It was observed that 74 percent of men with ED showed signs of periodontitis. Those with severe forms of ED were the worst affected by periodontitis. Furthermore, it was seen that patients with periodontitis were 2.28 times more likely to develop ED than patients with healthy gums.

Improving Dental Care Can Lessen the Symptoms of ED
It’s been studied that high levels of plaque and bleeding gums are a risk factor for poor sperm motility and reduced sperm counts. While poor oral hygiene is linked to erectile dysfunction, practicing better oral hygiene can improve erectile function.
“If you have been experiencing symptoms of ED lately, you should consider getting an appointment with your dentist to check for gum disease”, experts at Hisblue suggest. Your dentist can help you manage the problem and treat it effectively.
Make sure that you visit your dentist every 6 months and brush your teeth twice a day. And don’t forget to floss at least once a day.

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