Men, ignoring the health of your gums could be causing issues in the bedroom of achieving and maintaining an erection.  This is findings from what a recent study from the International Journal of Impotence is saying. This meta-analysis is suggesting there is a significant association between chronic periodontitis (CP) and the risk of erectile dysfunction.  

Chronic periodontitis or periodontal disease is a common bacterial-induced inflammatory disease characterized by chronic bacterial infection of gingival tissue leading to a progressive loss of dental connective tissue and bone support.  It is considered a major cause of tooth loss in adults.  Periodontal disease has also been linked to other health complications such as heart disease and diabetes.

Chronic periodontitis’ effect on erectile dysfunction

Why would CP affect a man’s ability to perform sexually?  What research has shown is that periodontal disease may be associated with vascular disease which is a common cause of erectile dysfunction.  The factor linking the two together is inflammation even though there is no direct evidence that one disease causes the other.  There are still further epidemiological studies needed to conclusively show that periodontal disease actually causes men to have erectile dysfunction.

There are a couple of key ways in which periodontal disease has an effect on a man’s health and ability to achieve an erection:

·         It has been found that CP is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease.  Part of that has to do with the fact that chronic periodontitis has also been associated with an increased level of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, conditions that are known to be causes of atherosclerosis and stroke.  It is also known that men with cardiovascular disease have difficulties with erectile dysfunction.

·         Men who have inflammation of the prostate called prostatitis may also have higher rates of periodontal disease.  Prostatitis inflames the prostate, the gland that produces semen.  Prostatitis not only makes urination difficult and painful, it has been associated as an indirect cause of erectile dysfunction.  A 2015 study found that treating gum disease may reduce the symptoms of prostatitis which in turn could possibly improve a man’s bedroom performance. 

The key word throughout this message is inflammation.  The inflammation of periodontitis appears to be affecting more than just a guy’s gums.

Reducing chronic periodontitis to help erectile dysfunction

It is imperative for all men to know the signs and symptoms of periodontal disease:

·         Swollen, red, tender, or bleeding gums

·         Gums that recede or move away from the tooth

·         Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth

·         Loose teeth

·         Visible pus surrounding the teeth and gum

A good start in preventing periodontal disease is to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes in addition to flossing.  Twice yearly visits to a dentist who can examine your gums and teeth and a thorough cleaning by a dental hygienist are necessary to help catch any problems of periodontal disease in its early stages. 

By keeping tabs on periodontal disease, a man may be able to prevent or greatly reduce any incidence of erectile dysfunction.