If you’re experiencing difficulties in the bedroom, it might be time to consider the health of your gums and teeth. Surprisingly, your oral health could have a significant impact on your erectile function.
Connection Between Gums and The Penis
Various research studies conducted over the past few years have established a link between gum health and how the penis functions. Inflammation seems to play a significant role in this connection.
In a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, a Turkish research team evaluated 80 men aged between 30 and 40 who had erectile dysfunction and compared them with 82 men without erection problems. They discovered that 53 percent of the men with erectile dysfunction had gum inflammation (a major symptom of periodontal disease) compared with only 23 percent of the men without erectile challenges.
Chronic periodontitis is a group of infectious diseases predominantly caused by bacteria and most commonly occurs with inflammation of the gums. It has been shown that chronic periodontitis is associated with vascular diseases, which in turn, have been linked with erectile dysfunction.
The authors of this study excluded men with systemic vascular disease or those who smoked, as both are risk factors for erectile dysfunction. The results should encourage doctors to consider gum health when treating men with erectile problems.
Further Evidence on The Gums-Penis Connection
The results of a much larger study, published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, provide further evidence to support the connection between gum health and erectile function. This nationwide evaluation analyzed data on 32,856 men with erectile dysfunction and 162,480 controls without erectile dysfunction. After adjusting for risk factors such as heart disease, obesity, alcohol abuse, and diabetes, it was found that 26.9 percent of men with erectile dysfunction had chronic periodontitis compared with 9.4 percent in the control group. The relationship was much stronger for men younger than 30 and those older than 69 years.
In another study that sought to establish this connection, investigators focused on periodontitis being a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and erectile dysfunction being strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. They used a rat model to evaluate the effect of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (nitric oxide plays a crucial role in causing an erection) in the penile tissue of rats with periodontitis. They concluded that the inability to achieve an erection is related to periodontitis, and the decline in the expression and activity of nitric oxide synthase caused by inflammation in periodontitis “may be one of the critical risk factors of ED.”
Taking Care of Your Gums
Understanding the holistic nature of human health is vital. The connection between gum health and erectile function is real, and you should take steps to ensure both your oral health and sexual health are the best they can be. Brush your teeth, use dental floss, and see your dentist regularly for cleanings and any necessary oral care to help prevent erectile dysfunction. If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, make sure to talk to your doctor about your dental health.
For more men’s health information, visit sites like the Men’s Health Network and the Urology Care Foundation.
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