Maintaining good oral hygiene is not only crucial for having a beautiful smile or avoiding bad breath; science confirms that proper brushing and gum care have a direct impact on vascular health and, surprisingly, in male sexual life.
Several scientific studies have corroborated a solid connection: Men with periodontitis (periodontal disease) have a significantly higher risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction compared to those with a healthy mouth.
Next, we analyze the scientific evidence that explains the existing biological mechanisms that link dental diseases and impotence and how dental treatment can be part of the solution.
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1) Is there a relationship between periodontitis and erectile dysfunction?
The periodontal diseaseIt is a chronic infection that destroys the supporting tissues of the tooth, but its bacteria and inflammatory mediators travel throughout the body.
A study conducted in Türkiye (Oguz et al., 2013) compared men with and without erectile dysfunction. The results revealed that men with chronic periodontitis were 3.29 times more likely to suffer from erectile problems than those with healthy gums. The study showed that 53% of patients with erectile dysfunction had severe periodontitis, compared to only 23% in the control group (without symptoms of gum disease).
2) Correlation between chronic periodontitis and other diseases
Previous studies have already demonstrated a correlation between the chronic periodontitis and systemic vascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, heart attacks, and premature births, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, advanced gum disease affects 4 to 12% of adults in the United States.
This association has recently been confirmed by systematic reviews and meta-analyses (Farook et al., 2021)who reviewed multiple studies concluded that periodontitis is a significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction, suggesting that doctors should consider the state of the gumswhen evaluating patients with sexual problems.
3) Why do gums affect erections?
The possible link between dental problems and sexual performance is vascular health. Erections occur when the brain detects sexual stimulation, causing the muscles of the penis to relax and thus increasing blood flow to the organ’s spongy tissue. The veins then constrict to prevent blood from flowing out of the area. The study was based on the premise that, becauseGum disease affects health beyond the mouth, and they can reduce the elasticity of the endothelial layer of blood vessels. They may also be linked to erectile dysfunction.
“We know that periodontal diseases cause systemic endothelial dysfunction, which leads to vascular pathology,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Fatih Oguz, assistant professor in the department of urology at Inonu University School of Medicine in Malatya, Turkey. “And vascular pathologies are the most common cause of erectile dysfunction.”.
“Erectile dysfunction and chronic periodontitis in humans are caused by similar risk factors, such as aging, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease,” Oguz explained. His study was published on December 4, 2013, in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
4) Relationship of the gums to the endothelium of the blood vessels of the penis
According to Varela et al. (2016), erections depend on the ability of the blood vessels in the penis to dilate, a process mediated by nitric oxide. Chronic inflammation from gum disease causes systemic oxidative stress, which reduces the availability of nitric oxide and damages the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels), hindering the blood flow necessary for erection. Therefore, periodontitis and erectile dysfunction share a common pathological mechanism: endothelial dysfunction.
5) Periodontal bacteria may contribute to atherosclerosis of the penis
Furthermore, the periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream (bacteremia), increasing levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). This inflammatory burden contributes to the atherosclerosis and it affects small blood vessels, such as those in the penis, even before major heart problems appear (Bizzarro and Loos, 2019).
6) ¿Does periodontal treatment improve erectile function?
This is the key question for our patients. The good news is that eliminating oral infection appears to have a positive effect on sexual function.
A recent randomized clinical trial, conducted by researchers from the University of Granada (Mesa et al., 2021), demonstrated that periodontal treatment significantly improved erectile function. Patients who received treatment for their gums showed better scores on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) three months after the intervention, compared to those who did not receive treatment.
This suggests that treating periodontitis not only helps to preserve teeth but it reduces systemic inflammation allowing the vascular endothelium to recover and thus improving erectile response.
7) Gum health is an indicator of overall health
The American Academy of Periodontology warns that gum health should not be ignored, as it is often an indicator of general health. Gum disease is often silent and does not hurt until advanced stages.
8) Preventing oral diseases is key to avoiding other health problems.
And experimentsFor erectile problems, in addition to seeing your urologist, it is highly recommended to request a check-up at Pardiñas Dental Clinic.
Signs such as bleeding when brushing, persistent bad breath, or tooth mobility are red flags that could be indicating an underlying vascular problem.
Taking care of your mouth is, literally, taking care of the health of your entire body.
https://youtu.be/xaQVQXzx_5w?si=U3tYqRUEx3O2gsgJ
Sources:
- Oguz F, et al. Chronic periodontitis is associated with erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med. 2013. See study
- Wang X, et al. Association between periodontitis and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Androl Urol. 2021. See study
- Kaur P, et al. Erectile dysfunction and periodontitis: A review of current literature. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2017. See study
- Bizzarro S, Loos BG. The link between periodontitis and erectile dysfunction: a clinical review. See study
- Mesa F, et al. The effect of periodontal treatment on patients with erectile dysfunction: A randomized clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2021. See study
- American Academy of Periodontology. View official website
- HealthDay.See news
